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GREEN HAND'S FIRST CRUISE, 



ROFGHED OUT FROM 



THE LOG-BOOK OF MEMORY, 






OF TWENTY-FIVE TZARS STANDING; 



Together with a Residence of 



FIVE MONTHS IN DARTMOOR. 



BY A YOUNKER. 



IN TWO VOLUMES. 
VOL. I. 



< 



BALTIM ORE : 
CUSHING & BROTHER. 

1841. 



£ 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1840, 

BY JOHN D. TOY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maryland. 



JOHN D. TOY, TRINTER. 



PREFACE. 



In noting down these reminiscences, the writer is solely 
influenced by a desire to collect some of the scattered 
leaves from memory's log, and to rescue a part of their 
contents from that oblivion to which they are fast hasten- 
ing. The remembrance of these by-gone events is the 
more cherished by the writer, from the lapse of time 
which has intervened since the occurrences took place, 
and the seeming unreality and dreamy obscurity, through 
which they are viewed in after life. 

In the course of his recording, should any one by 
chance or stealth be overlooking his shoulder, he may 
learn, if at all fastidious in his readings, that as the walks 
of the writer then, were humble and among the blue- 
jackets, so here likewise will he with them cruise, and 
note down such events as he saw, with the feelings w T ith 
which he then viewed them, as far as the legibility of the 
log-book will admit. And, should the sharp eyes, which 
are still peering over the shoulder, discover any thing of 
an improbable nature, may he in charity attribute it to the 
blurring which time has given the record, rather than to 
any wilful intentions of the writer. Or, has this eaves- 
dropper, (a sailor, a generous-hearted sailor he is not, or 
he would look elsewhere for faults,) a knowledge of sea- 
phrases or technicalities, sufficient to discover a splice 
where a new rope should be rove, or a broad yawing 
from the course laid down, by the awkwardness of the 
helmsman, he may know, that the writer's first cruise waa 
his last, and that he vouches for nothing except what is 



IV PREFACE. 

recorded in the log, for however it be mutilated by time, 
it is his only guide. 

Narratives, like campaigns, should be recorded, as the 
narrator saw the events which produced them, not alto- 
gether from the reports he gathers after those events have 
transpired. To illustrate my meaning more fully, we will 
suppose 'a subaltern of the Grande Armie promises, as an 
eye-witness, to give a succinct account of the battle of 
Austerlitz, he being hotly engaged throughout the whole 
of that far-famed achievement.' The extension of the 
troops employed in that battle was such, that it would 
have taken the 'subaltern' to walk from one extreme to the 
other, nearly as long as the conflict was raging, without 
allowing him time either to participate in the same, or to 
take notes of the proceedings. This shows how little an 
'eye-witness' knows or sees of what is passing, except 
immediately around him. Did he note truly what he 
absolutely saw, however humble the source from which 
the occurrences might arise, it would be the more interest- 
ing to the — writer, if to none else. 

Vessels put to sea in time of war, are taken by an 
enemy, and their crews sent to prison, events as common- 
place as they prove unromantic ; yet circumstances are 
constantly occurring, which to an actor of those scenes, 
are extremely interesting; more especially, as he sits in 
after life, conning over in his mind the bufferings he has 
encountered, and the causes that produced them. It is 
these musings which have prompted the writer to a revi- 
sion of the time-worn material before him, and a transfer 
of the almost worn-out log;, to legible readings. 

December, 1839. 



TO THE READER. 



Little did the author suppose, when penning these 
pages, they would ever appear before the public ; nor did 
he indulge the hope, that they would contain interest 
sufficient for his most intimate friends to tax themselves 
with a perusal. But by their advice and solicitation, he 
has been induced to publish, however foreign to his origi- 
nal design, or adventitious to his usual vocation ; for he 
is as unused to book-making, as he was a stranger to the 
calling;, which furnished matter for these volumes. It 
must rest with the public, whether the first efforts of the 
author shall prove as humiliating to his pride, as his first 
voyage to sea proved disastrous to his ambition. The 
work being written from memory alone, and at intervals 
snatched from the calls of an active business that could 
not be neglected, many errors must have escaped the 
writers notice ; yet, he trusts, they are not so numerous 
as to vitiate the whole. Of the many tales and incidents, 
none are without data, although some of them may appear 
too highly coloured for a work not fictitious. By perusing 
these pages, should one promising youth, whose sole aim 
is reckless adventure and romantic daring, whilst rushing 
into degradations he knows not of, pause in his mad ca- 
reer, before he makes his desperate plunge, they will be 
productive of some good, the only reward, in submitting 
them to a candid and generous public, that is expected by 

THE AUTHOR. 






CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 



PAGE' 

Chapter I. — Motives for Going to Sea, .... 13 

Chap. II. — Going on Board, 26 

Chap. III. — Vessel, Crew and Armament, ... 38 
Chap. IV.— Putting to Sea, . . . , . . .51 

Chap. V.— First Going Aloft at Sea, .... 65 

Chap. VI.— The Storm, 77 

Chap. VII.— The Chase 93 

Chap. VIII.— The Capture, 104 

Chap. IX.— Going on Board the Frigate, . . . .118 

Chap. X.— First Night Below, 13«> 

Chap. XI. — Things in General while in the Frigate, . 161 

Chap. XII.— The Crew of the Frigate, .... 178 

Chap. XIII.— Arrival at Fayal 198 

Chap. XIV.— Sailing for England, 219 

Chaf. XV.— Arrival in England and Marching to Prison, 242 



GREEN HAND'S FIRST CRUISE. 



CHAPTER I. 

MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 

So long as I can remember, my predilections were 
for the sea. Even long before I ever saw salt water, did 
I most ardently desire and wish to become a sailor, as the 
small stream can fully testify, which meanders through 
the meadows in sight of, and passes close by, the old 
homestead, in a village not far distant from the capital 
of the Bay State. On or in it did I pass much of my 
time, till ten years of age ; since then I have been 
mostly a stranger to its purling waters and mossy banks, 
except when occasionally visiting the place of my birth ; 
to which my mind even now in after life, turns with all 
the yearnings of my boyhood days. 

Perhaps this predilection was in part caused by the tales 
and stories narrated by an elder brother, who had followed 
the sea, from the time he was a mere child, and who was 
passionately fond of a sea life. He had visited all climes 
and almost every country upon the globe, gathering many 
articles of rare and curious workmanship from China and 
the eastern world ; with a large collection of pictures, 
conchs, and shells — storing his gleesome mind with songs, 
2 v.l 



14 MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 

sayings and doings — detailing them to my youthful ima- 
gination in a manner peculiarly his own, and well suited 
to fire my young fancy to romantic daring. He had been 
thrice around the w r orld, through every navigable sea, 
was conversant with many tongues and languages to me 
unknown — had been captured by the French, under the 
Berlin and Milan decrees, lost his all, thrown into a 
Spanish prison at Cadiz, during its siege, where he con- 
tracted a disease of the heart, which proved fatal about a 
year and a half after his liberation and return. 

At each and every visit from his return voyages, I lis- 
tened with renewed delight to his various and fascinating 
descriptions of towns, cities, countries and continents — 
looks, ways, manners and doings of foreign nations. I 
gloated over the strange and curious presents "bestowed 
by him with a lavish hand; for like most others of mari- 
time calling, he was ever more ready to give than to save. 
He w r as always ready to assist at the rigging of my tiny 
boats, lending a willing hand, and joyously entering into 
my pranks of sailing, even when nothing better offered 
than a few rails cribbed from a neighbouring farmer's 
fence, and lashed together with withes of hickory, his 
handkerchief supplying the place of a squaresail, while 
floating down the stream — he acting as skipper, while I 
was more than proud of being a hand before the mast. 

My first maritime essay came near being the last, and 
was as disastrous to my fiery romantic visions, as was my 
second, which affords matter for these volumes. 

To celebrate the coming fourth of July, in a creditable 
manner, three other urchins like myself, whose united 
ages would have scarcely carried one of us into manhood, 
prepared a couple of logs, partially hollowed, for launch- 
ing into a fresh water pond, of a mile or so in width, 
with a mast, and a squaresail filched from the drawer 
where was kept the table linen. When the day arrived, 
every thing appeared propitious for a happy cruise, we got 



MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 15 

afloat, nailed a cross piece athwart the troughs, through 
which the mast was stepped, the sail squared to the wind, 
and behold us under weigh, as happy and uproarous a set 
of scamps as ever had command — age considered. To 
make our minds still the more light and free, we had the 
satisfaction of knowing, we were out of sisrht and know- 
ledge of those pestering torments to precocious aspirants 
to fame, our mothers. 

Never were freebooters afloat with more hilarious spirits, 
than were we, whilst rocking and gamboling about on our 
frail logs, acting the scenes of Captain Kidd, whose his- 
tory in song I had made my study, to sing on this parti- 
cular occasion ; growing the more savage as the song 
progressed, lopping the lillies for the heads of our cap- 
tives, and if a bull-frog had the temerity to lie quiet, till 
we approached within the reach of our paddles, no quar- 
ter was shown him, so blood-thirsty had we become since 
cruising. 

We were suddenly startled by a loud peal of thunder, 
when we discovered for the first time, a gust had arisen, 
and was likely to catch us a half mile from the shore. 
Our songs ceased, as we applied our tiny paddles to the 
water, to force the logs along faster than the slackened 
wind would drive them. The first flaw that struck the 
sail, tore the cross piece away that held the troughs 
together, and left us the choice of hanging to them or 
going to the bottom. The storm roared, but not louder 
than did we, who were clinging to the separate logs for 
support, and were wishing between the fits of blubberings 
that those meddlesome mothers, we were but so lately 
happy to have at a distance, had kept us at home, instead 
of letting us go out of their sight to be drowned. 

At last we drifted towards the opposite shore, where we 
became entangled in the rushes and overgrown water 
grass, in which we floundered about, fancying every root 
or drifting tree branch, a water snake with open jaws, 



16 MOTIVES FOR GOIXG TO SEA. 

ready to devour us for our disobedience, and were more 
than happy in touching the bottom with our feet ; albeit, 
there was more mud of an adhering quality than was alto- 
gether safe transporting to our homes, which we gained 
not till after nightfall, more frightened than hurt, but not 
less wet than frightened. The hurt, we very well knew 
was to be, after we reached our homes. How the others 
fared, I never inquired, being satisfied with the peeling 
I received, to brin<r the heat and circulation to the surface 
after my late drag in the water. But why the friction was 
applied to one particular spot, I could not understand, as 
1 was wet alike all over. 

This escape and afterclap, did not in the least cool my 
ardour for aquatic sports. As I grew in years, I resolved 
to become a sailo^ sooner or later, but could not obtain 
my parents' consent, contrary to which, I would do noth- 
ing, thanks to the pious instructions from them received. 
I consented to go an apprentice, according to their wishes, 
but was determined to work not a day longer than my 
minority; for go to sea I would when a man, as then I 
need ask no one's consent or advice. 

Even when at my apprenticeship, my mind was ever 
after boats, sea songs, narratives, and the like ; and when 
sent on an errand, oftener than otherwise, the wharf 
would bring me up, however contrary to the direction I 
was told to go. My first walk each Sunday was among 
the shipping, scanning the rig of this ship, taking the 
dimensions of that shallop, wondering at the fashion of 
yonder foreign looking craft, and sneering at the round- 
ing bows of the Dutch lugger pointing seaward. After 
passing due judgment at all below, I would ascend to 
the masthead of some vessel, whose keeper gave consent, 
and sit upon the topgallant cross-trees for hours, whistling 
snatches of sea songs, and longing for the time to come, 
when I could do and go as my ardent anxiety prompted. 
Before descending, I would lay out upon the yards in 



> 



MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 17 

even" attitude and form, and hug the rigging in my de- 
scent, till my clothes had imbibed the true odour of a 
sailor, when I would strut up the wharf, thinking myself 
fit for any company. If any part of my garments dis- 
played a patch of tar, all the better. 

The war of IS 12, did not in the least diminish my 
former propensity, but rather added fire to it, by hear- 
ing of the deeds of others. Now my whole readings 
w T ere of naval armaments, manouvres, tactics — battles, es- 
capes — boat duty, rowing guard, cutting out — booming 
guns, long-toms — pink-em-well, cut and slash, blood and 
carnage, till I became a very Turk in propensit} r , and 
supposed the world was created for little else than for 
adventurers to display their daring; while that portion 
of mankind, who were engaged in other callings, de- 
served to be coupled only with those of the dark ages, 
and made to cloister with friars, monks, and anchorites, 
whose habits prohibited them from adventures of this 
kind, and whose pusillanimous disposition relinquished all 
deeds of daring to their betters. I suffered no account to 
go unperused of either battle, chase, escape, or any thing 
pertaining to events upon the sea. When the Constitu- 
tion frigate came into the port of Boston, after her cap- 
ture of the Guerriere, my imagination was fired beyond 
endurance ; especially after I had been on board of her, 
and minutely examined the shot holes and other marks of 
the battle. I looked upon every man belonging to her as 
a hero, and only wished I was like even unto the least. 

Whenever a naval victory was announced, my work 
was dropped, and away I scampered among the crowd, 
jumping, shouting, and bellowing louder than the loudest, 
without knowing the cause of the rejoicing — enough for 
me that it was naval. 

At every dinner, supper or ball, given in honour of a 
victory, I took as great an interest as any of the invited 
guests, was prompdy and duly posted up, as to time occu- 
2* v.l 



18 MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 

pied, number of guests, songs sung, toasts drank. &.c. &.c. 
committing the latter to memory, for the purpose of hav- 
ing a stock on hand when /should become a naval hero. 

Whenever it was announced, 'Commodore so-and-so 
will be at the theatre to-night,' or, 'the officers of such a 
frigate may be expected to honour the house with their 
presence,' or, 'to conclude with an exact representation of 
the action between such and such a vessel, with dresses 
and scenery to correspond,' I was there in the centre of 
the pit, with a relish for little else, except to scan the 
faces of those great and honoured men of war, and criti- 
cise upon the movements and manouvres of the miniature 
shipping of the sea-fight. 

I have more than once followed a swabbed officer 
through the streets, trying to catch his swagger, wonder- 
ing if he were once a boy like myself, and I imagined 
that my assumed bearing was as haughty as his, and that I 
too could exhibit an outward strut and stiffness, that would 
gloss over inabilities and lack of knowledge, which, not- 
withstanding my respect for the profession, was often 
forced upon me, by too close a scrutiny ; and at times I 
was reluctantly compelled to admit in my own mind, that 
all 'is not gold that glitters,' even when lavishly displayed 
by one of naval calling. 

There was no privateer or vessel of war fitted out, but 
had to undergo a rigid examination by me, previous to her 
sailing. I counted every gun, handled the shot, boarding 
pikes, and other weapons of defence, which lay within 
the range of my scrutinizing eye ; and if each officer did 
not have to submit to the same close ordeal of examina- 
tion, it was because of the multiplicity of business I had 
on hand, and not through any inattention to the subject. I 
could give an account, at the time, of every armed vessel 
that had sailed, number of men, guns, &c. from no other 
data than memory, so deeply had it been impressed by 
these, to me, interesting events. 



i 



MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 19 

In July, 1S14, being just turned of eighteen, I was 
drafted to perform a tour of duty at South Boston, which 
added no little to my former notions of the romantic, as I 
was there thrown in contact with several roving spirits, 
who were alike ready to go any where, and do any 
and every thing, which daring and imagination could 
prompt. 

At this time there was every appearance of a night 
attack from the enemy's blockading ships, which lay off 
and on in the outer offing. These vessels could be 
plainly seen from the encampment throughout each and 
every day, intercepting the coasters, fishing and other 
boats, as they attempted to pass out. It was supposed 
that the attack, if any, would be made by the boats of 
the shipping, by passing them closely up under the south 
shore, and landing at the cove which makes in near Dor- 
chester heights, at that time not fortified, except with the 
remains of the old breast-works thrown up during the 
revolutionary war, now in a dilapidated state, and lying 
about three-fourths of a mile from the encampment. 

As the probability of an attack grew stronger, a picket 
was posted on the height each night, to give the alarm, 
should the enemy approach. One day the enemy ap- 
peared bolder than usual, by chasing a sloop ashore with 
their boats, and setting her on fire but a moment after her 
crew escaped to the island, within full view of the en- 
campment, and almost within the range of the guns of 
the outward fort. It was whispered that this night an 
attempt to land would be made, as the state of the 
weather favoured it, there being a drizzling easterly mist, 
rather than rain, with a thick obscuring atmosphere, 
which set in near night-fall. 

It fell to my lot, with another, this night to stand sen- 
try on the outward heights. We were ordered not to 
fire till we saw boats, (a surety for saving ammunition, as 
the boats to be seen must have made the passage up the 



20 MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 

hill to within twenty feet of our post) and were well 
convinced they belonged to the enemy ; and then, after 
firing, to retreat into camp, (another unnecessary order.) 
With these instructions, and provided with ball cartridges, 
we took our stations at ten at night, to stand till day-light 
the next morning. 

There was no shelter, except the slender sentry-box. 
for one to occupy at a time, and as I did not feel desirous 
of being housed the early part of the night, I gave it up 
to my six-foot-four comrade, whose breadth was in pro- 
portion to his height, who was asleep and snoring before 
he had taken possession of the box ten minutes ; nor 
could I awake him during the whole night, further than 
to receive a grunt or a curse for my ofhciousness in med- 
dling with him, when I ought to be looking out for the 
boats of the enemy. 

My glowing patriotism kept me from being drowsy, 
knowing that I was treading upon soil made sacred by 
those of yore nobly stepping forward, and possessing it. 
in the dangerous game of expelling their hated oppres- 
sors from their shores. My tread was the firmer and my 
bearing the prouder, by reflecting, that my sire was in the 
foremost ranks of that little band, who first broke ground 
here ; and probably, I was then, in my marchings to and 
fro, stepping upon the very sods by him thrown up. I 
strove hard to recollect the fire-side narrations of those 
stirring times, and grew the fiercer as I could bring to 
mind the many acts of tyranny of the British authorities, 
previous to the outbreak of the revolution, till my imagi- 
nation was proof positive, that had the enemy then dared 
to invade the sacred precincts of the hill, they would 
have found it dangerous ground ; when, had they come 
in reality, they would probably have found the hill un- 
disputed, or I should have found the danger on the 
other side. This glowing patriotism I soon learned was 
quenchable by water ; for the rain shortly after began to 



MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 21 

descend at intervals in torrents, till I was drenched 
to the skin. More than once did I wish either the 
morning or the British would come, that I might be 
relieved from a watch, which promised to be as weari- 
some as my imagination made it lengthy. 

The whole of that dreary night, I walked back and 
forth upon the parapet of that dismal hill, with a lone- 
someness of heart I seldom, if ever experienced. Not be- 
cause I was afraid, for I had as little dread of the enemy 
then, as I now have while penning the article ; but there 
was a feeling of sinking despondency, I feel incompetent 
to describe. Had there been but a single star as a land- 
mark on which I could fix my gaze, occasionally, it would 
have been a relief. But there was nothing I could see 
or hear, only the dull monotonous plashing of the water 
in the cove, at the foot of the hill, which made the drea- 
riness doubly drear. It was not through bravery that I 
did not fear the enemy, but that I felt fully secure there 
was no enemy to fear, within harm's distance. Had the 
boats made their appearance, I should have brought a pair 
of legs into requisition, which, together with the know- 
ledge I possessed of the by-paths and cross-lots of the 
hill and adjoining neighbourhood, would have led the 
enemy, had they attempted to follow, where they would 
require day-light to find their way back again. My sleep- 
ing partner I should have left to make such excuses for 
my absence as best he might. 

Day-break at last came, but whether before or after sun- 
rise, we could not tell, as the rain had been falling in tor- 
rents for the last three or four hours, and we did not get 
into camp till long after reveillee. 

During the night I had but two subjects of reflec- 
tion : — the one was, 'what a leap my six-foot partner will 
make, if, in the agitation of the moment, I mistake his 
box (he filled it entire) for a boat of the enemy.' This I 
concluded could not be, as my gun must hang fire, by 



22 MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 

the wetting it had received through the night, and there- 
fore 'no harm can arise if I indulge in the trial.' The 
other subject was the all-engrossing one, 'shall I go to 
sear' After balancing the pros and cons, each prepon- 
derating in my favour, I made up my mind and deter- 
mination, that to sea I would go, in spite of all impedi- 
ments. 

Circumstances seemed to favour the determination I 
had formed, as the man with whom I was apprenticed, 
became so careless of his business, by dissipation, as 
scarcely enabling him to keep the few at work he still 
retained, by the want of credit to lay in the necessary 
stock. I plainly saw the time approaching, when I should 
be compelled to seek another home, other than the one 
with my employer. The last twelve months I had been 
indebted to my own industry for the clothes I had worn, 
by obtaining jobs, and working late at nights, after I 
had done the task assigned me through the day. 

One by one of the apprentices left, till none remained 
but myself and one other, when my employer was in- 
carcerated for debt, and sent for me to raise the necessary 
funds, to defray the expenses of bonding in the prison 
limits. I felt grieved at his humiliating situation, readily 
loaned him the money from my own pocket, with a will- 
ing and grateful heart, not doubting that he would refund 
it when at liberty, but which he never did, nor even 
showed a desire to acknowledge the kindness I had done 
him. This severed the last thread of obligation between 
us. Now my whole thoughts turned to obtaining the con- 
sent of my parents for a cruise, which at last was reluc- 
tantly given; they probably thinking I was so intent upon 
going, that whether their consent was given or withheld, 
it would not alter the case ; but if so, they did me wrong, 
for without their permission, no material would be extant 
for the work before the reader. 

From this time, I began to make preparations for a trip 



MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 23 

to sea, but instead of asking the advice of any one ac- 
quainted with a seafaring life, I confined my inquiries to 
those youngster companions, who were as inexperienced 
in such matters as I was myself, some eight or ten of 
whom were going with me in the first vessel offering, be 
it letter-of-marque or privateer, it mattered not, so it were 
for sea, and would take green hands. 

The first that offered was an hermaphrodite brig of 
eighteen guns, that crack privateer, which had been fortu- 
nate in sixty chases, had been successful and lucky in all 
her doings, and now just returned to port, her crew 
flushed with a splendid victory, and enriched with prize 
money, beyond any that had preceded them. 

So great was the renown of this clipper, that it was no 
small difficulty to obtain a berth on board in any shape ; 
at least so I was told by her consignee, previous to her 
shipping papers being ready. I was also told, that those 
who wished to go in her, even in the lowest capacities, 
must be in season, as there were then more applicants 
than could be received. Gammon as this was, I, with 
others, swallowed it all, rushed to the shipping papers on 
the morning of their being opened, and had the satisfac- 
tion of seeing: the list headed bv our illustrious signatures, 
greenhorns all ; with advice gratis, that the sooner we hur- 
ried on board, the better chance we should have of secur- 
ing to ourselves good berths. The captain, that was to be, ■ 
with two or three of his lieutenants, bowed us out of the 
office with as much politeness and attention, as though we 
had granted a policy of insurance for the brig's safe return, 
with a full cargo of silks and laces. 

One of our number, who had been a clerk in a hard- 
ware store, congratulated us on our good luck, in thus fall- 
ing in with such gentlemanly officers, anticipating much 
good cheer in our coming cruise. Another observed that 
it was our gentlemanly appearance, that had drawn forth 
so much attention and politeness from the officers, and he 



24 MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 

had no doubt we should see the world, live in clover, and 
return 'loaded with distinction and dollars.' 

'Give me your share of the dollars,' returned a third, 
'and I will relinquish my claim to the distinction.' 

'Really,' said another, 'this privateering is the thing 
after all, and I much wonder why any one will stay 
ashore, and grub along, while he can enjoy a bit of life 
without working for it, and is making money while others 
sleep.' 

'These miserly, no-souled landsmen know no other call- 
ing, but to grub and toil, while we seamen are enjoying 
ourselves at the expense of some rich nabob, who will rest 
all the easier by having a few the less ingots to carry him 
down,' came from one who had never been from under 
the care of a too indulgent mother, and whose greatest 
employment had been to make out the millinery bills of 
his widowed parent, and his only qualification, to spend 
the best part of her earnings. 

'If there be a choice of berths, as hinted at by those left 
in the office,' carelessly observed a dry goods seller, of 
neat and trim appearance, 'I shall prefer that of captain's 
clerk, as more suited to my former standing or employ- 
ment.' 

Another intimated, that the purser's office would be the 

most agreeable to him, as he had been taught to take care 
of number one. 

Said one, 'while we are taking our ease, as you inti- 
mate we shall, who is to do the duty on board of the brig ?' 

'Why, those that ship as able seamen, to be sure. 
Every well regulated vessel, whether armed or not, al- 
ways has the greatest share of those who are used to the 
duty on shipboard, know no other employment, and are 
fit for nothing else than to attend to that alone.' 

I said not a word, but was deeply engaged unravelling a 
certain malicious grin, that had attracted my attention, 
and which was depicted upon the countenance of our 



MOTIVES FOR GOING TO SEA. 25 

third lieutenant, as I have since learned ; and when fully 
unravelled, and fairly interpreted in plain vernacular, read 
'asses, every mother's son,' reluctantly compelling me to 
say, mentally, 'I greatly fear all is not so smooth on ship- 
board as at the shipping office, and if I can well get out of 
the scrape — no, never ; turn back now ? I can never after 
hold up my head among my companions, but shall be 
shunned for backing out.' 

Preparations were hurried to 'secure good berths,' every 
thing needful was soon packed in a sea clothes-bag, a chest 
or trunk not being allowed, and my 'go ashore clothes put 
into a trunk, at the bottom of which I placed a ten dollar 
note, thinking it barely possible I might return destitute ; 
for the late opposition shown to my desire to cruise, was 
sufficient to make it revolting to my pride, to either ask 
or receive assistance, however freely tendered, unless I 
was brought to the most abject state of destitution by 
sickness. This trunk and contents I left with an elder 
brother, and took the key with me. 

If I have been prolix in getting on shipboard, it has 
been mainly to show why I went. I was neither actuated 
by motives of gain, nor to gratify a vicious principle, but 
my main desire was to go to sea, the war preventing me 
from gratifying my curiosity or propensity in any other way, 
except this of entering on board a privateer. Although at 
near the close of the war, the fever for prize money ran 
high, and prize tickets were bought up with an avidity but 
little short of other humbug speculations, which proved 
equally as abortive towards yielding riches to the holder; 
yet I had no definite thoughts of gaining prize money, 
as many others had, and becoming at once independently 
rich, nor of being promoted to an easy berth at some future 
time. I left no power of attorney, as was usual for those 
going in armed vessels in time of war, for the collection of 
my share of prizes captured, should any disaster prevent 
me from returning. Neither had I the least fear of being 
3 v.l 



26 GOING ON BOARD. 

maimed or killed, till I was bluntly told at a parting advice, 
by one who wished to be a friend and adviser, that, should 
I 'lose my leg or head, it would not be so bad, but if an 
arm were lopped off, I should be a beggar for life.' Had 
the observation been administered two weeks earlier, with 
a sprinkling of proper advice well thrown in, I should not 
now have matter for this history, such a home-thrust did 
this blunt observation prove. But now it was too late ; I 
had made the first essay, and threats or advice would 
alike have proved unavailing. 



CHAP. II. 

GOING ON BOARD. 



On the 13th December, 1814.* after bidding adieu to 
friends and acquaintances, I repaired to the wharf alone, 
about four o'clock in the afternoon, with my baggage in 
a cart, being too nice to carry it myself. After throw- 
ing the carter double cartage, to ape the generosity of 
the sailor, I jumped into a boat in waiting, for the pur- 
pose of conveying those on board, who had business with 
the brig, and asked if I should take an oar? I was politely 
told not to trouble myself with rowing — invited to take a 
seat in the stern, and was requested to make myself com- 
fortable, as it would take some time to reach the brig 
through the ice, which was making fast, by the severity of 
the weather. 

It was blowing a stiff north-wester, and the day was the 
coldest of the season ; but I felt it not, for my blood was 
at fever heat, so gratified was I, of at last being fairly 
launched upon the bosom of my favouiite element. 

* Twenty-five years this day that I am penning the article. 



GOING ON BOARD. 27 

When reaching the brig and getting on deck, I was 
received with as much politeness and attention, as though 
I was a boarding oflicer from the revenue service, and 
the bris: a regular contraband dealer, which could not 
escape the lynx-eyed searcher for prohibited goods, only 
by blandishments both showy and real, and blinding the 
officer with politeness, good cheer, and heavy gratuities. 
At first I thought I had been mistaken for an officer of 
some grade or other ; yet on my answering the inquiries 
put to me, and my station becoming known, I saw no 
diminution of civilities towards me. 

Many were the apologies for the poor accommodations 
on board, unavoidably occurring in the hurry of fitting 
out, but all should be remedied, and made comfortable 
in the shortest possible time. Really, thought I, seamen 
are unquestionably the most polite and engaging people 
I ever yet have met with, and stretched another inch in 
height at the idea of my present calling. 

The brig had but a few, six or eight, hands on board, 
when all told, and all but two of these were hired to keep 
things in order; one was a prize-master, who had her in 
charge, the other a full-bred loafer, that had chosen a 
berth on board of the brig for the winter, in preference to 
that of the kennel; a poor exchange, and an error of 
judgment he never repented of but once; for from the 
time of the brig's sailing, till he was again landed, was he 
sio-hinc for a return to his accustomed haunts of high 

DO 

stoops and lumber-yard shelterings. Thus I found my- 
self the second hand on board, the loafer having prece- 
dence of an hour or two; but he showed no indications of 
profiting by his seniority, or at least none that I could dis- 
cover, although I eyed him with much scrutiny for this 
and other eccentricities, as the sequel will show. 

At supper, our table was covered with the good things 
of the season, and many were the excuses and apologies 
offered for the lack of this or that dainty— the milkman 



28 GOING ON BOARD. 

had disappointed them in not coming off in season, as he 
often had before ; the baker had sent off stale bread in- 
stead of fresh, which -was not noticed till too late to 
remedy the evil; the steak was tough, but whether by 
the fault of the cook or the butcher, it was not known. 

I begged they might not feel any uneasiness on my 
account, as I was determined to accommodate myself to 
circumstances, be they what they might, and as for the 
present, I saw no fault to complain of. Loaf gulphed out 
a word here and there, between the slabs of meat and 
wedges of bread, but with so indistinct articulation, that 
little meaning could be gathered, except, he had fared 
worse — good enough if it would only hold out — worse 
where was none ; his mind being taken up with the solids, 
and he little caring to enter into the vapoury sayings and 
doings of others. 

I thought after so many apologies for the lack of com- 
forts, towards me, a stranger, it behooved me to say a few 
words in an apologetic strain, and not be behind in po- 
liteness with the prize-master, who had had most of the 
conversation on his side since the meal began. 

'In this new career of mine, which I am determined 
shall be my future occupation, I shall require instruction, 
and will be more than proud of your experience, to aid 
me in my awkwardness.' 

' 'You must live and learn,' is a maxim of which I have 
always kept in the wake. Had we any thing stronger 
than coffee, we would drink bumpers to the success of 
your new calling.' 

'I takes bumpers of such as I finds,' said Loafy, making 
but a swallow of his tin cup of coffee, and pushing it for- 
ward for a replenish, 'your maxim isn't bad, but mine, 
'takes what I can gets,' is better.' He smiled as I thought 
in an extraordinary manner ; but I did not wish to exhibit 
my ill-breeding by an over-curiosity in strangers' com- 
pany, so let it pass, making up the gap in the conversa- 
tion, by asking: 



GOING ON BOARD. 29 

'What time do you suppose the brig will be in readiness 
for sea.' 

'In a week at farthest, but in far less time, if all were 
as prompt as yourselves in showing their patriotism, by 
coming on board at once. However, these laggers will 
rue it, for the first favours will be bestowed upon those like 
yourselves, who, are at your posts without being sent for.' 

Loaf gulphed his second pint of hot coffee, but whether 
in success to the coming favours, or in acknowledgment 
to the compliment of the prize-master, he did not say, his 
mind being wholly engrossed with how best he could tier 
away the junks of beef and hard biscuit below, so as to 
make the stowage compact, to be in readiness to receive 
the third pint, which was promptly handed him. 

'Yes, in a week we shall be at sea, and it may take 
another to load the brig with prize goods ; but with good 
management, it should be done in less time. I hope you 
did not bid your friends good bye ; if so, they are words 
lost, thrown away ; for they will not think you out of 
the harbour, before you will be among them again ; but 
whether you will recognize them so readily when becom- 
ing thus suddenly rich, I am not so certain. If I have 
any thing to say in the matter of the selection of the prize 
goods, we shall reject every thing of bulk, and take on 
board nothing but jewels, dollars, and dry goods, or such 
as tell well with little stowage.' 

For a single instant, the jaws of the loafer ceased wag- 
o-ino- as he gazed in wonderment at the prize-master, and 
I expected his first expression would be, judging from 
his looks, 'you're a Turk — a perfect infidel, without the 
pale of salvation,' but I was mistaken ; for he said with 
much meaning, 'take what you can get, and never reject 
what is eatable,' and commenced operations again with 
renewed vigour, as a warranty of his making up for the 
time he had lost while giving the advice. 

'If the brig's crew all take as you do, we shall be 
3* v.l 



30 GOING ON BOARD. 

compelled to return to port in a fortnight, prize or no 
prize, or live upon each other ; for this is the fifth pint of 
coffee you have taken, with no signs of its being the last.' 

The laugh that followed from the loafer, showed his 
greatest failing was not ill-temper ; yet of so extraordinary 
a kind, that I could not suppress my bad manners, and 
stared him full in the face, or rather the remains his wide- 
spread mouth had not included in its expansion. The 
prize-master's curiosity was likewise excited, for after 
looking at him a moment, he said : 

'You are a beauty, and worth your weight in gold as 
a scare-devil figure-head — no enemy will come within 
your hail but once,' and left the table, a signal for us to 
follow. 

At turning in, the same excuses were gone through, for 
the want of hammocks, berths, &c. as had before for our 
other discomforts, and with greater reason ; for in the 
hold were piled up provision and water casks, so as 
entirely to fill it to the deck above. I could find no place 
to lay myself down, except upon a pile of shot, which had 
been gathering frost from a temperature considerably be- 
low zero, for several days previous, and thrown in imme- 
diately under the open hatchway. I lay for about four 
hours, not being compelled to stand watch, and suffered 
more with the cold than I could bear, having nothing 
between me and the shot, but an old sail. In that short 
space of time, it appeared to me that the shot had drawn 
every particle of warmth from my body ; and I have 
reason to believe the whole quantity of heat thus drawn 
from me, was lost, or not duly appreciated by the shot. 
Thinks I, if this is the fine choice of berths falling to the 
first comers, God help the last; for one may 'learn,' but 
he will never 'live' to have his learning duly appreciated, 
unless it is for his coolness in standing a shot. I suddenly 
hushed all mental surmises of this kind, by rousing up, 
and walking the deck the remainder of the night, lest I 



GOING ON BOARD. 31 

might construe some of my selfish thoughts to a disrelish 
of the service, or to a hankering for the comforts I had 
left behind, in exchange for what was in store for me. 
Here I first understood the true meaning of the doggerel, 
to Yankee doodle melody : 

•Like hailstones cold, 

The shot now rolled 
As pumpkins piled on our bain floor ; 

Whoe'er they hit, 
Quick stiff they get, 

As icicles o'er our barn door.' 

I afterwards understood this palavering was adopted as a 
ruse to get the hands on board as early as possible ; for 
those who were accustomed to ship-board duty, knew full 
well the heavy work to be performed in getting a vessel 
ready for sea, and would seldom go on board till the last 
moment before sailing. 

The next day some few others came aboard, among 
whom was the first lieutenant, a man of mild tempera- 
ment, a good sailor, and one of much worth. He con- 
gratulated me on my promptness in being before him in 
my duty to the brig; said it told well for my patriotism, 
better for the future sailor within me, prognosticated a 
merry cruise, a rich return, and hoped I found all things 
to my liking; the which was swallowed with gudgeon 
voraciousness. 

We were kept busily at clearing away in the hold, 
making room for swinging the hammocks, adjusting the 
ballast, coiling away the cordage, in all of which I en- 
tered with much spirii and alacrity, being nimble, strong 
and hardy, and above all, I was at the employment my 
mind had been longing for since a child. I took no 
small pride in being foremost at any job or undertaking 
I could comprehend, showed no backwardness in asking 
questions whenever I was deficient in knowledge or expe- 
rience, and was determined to make the best of every 



S2 GOING ON BOARD. 

hardship, howsoever irksome and repugnant to my former 
feelings and occupation. 

I very soon learned my kit, that is, the contents of my 
clothes bag, was every way unfit for a sea voyage ; for I 
had nothing comfortable but my red flannel shirts and an 
old fearnaught greatcoat. My short jacket, I found, let 
out a little more caloric than was altogether comfortable ; 
and when bending over the yard aloft, with a sharp north- 
wester whistling through the rigging, I sighed for the least 
remnant of my former coat-tail, to screen me from its 
blast. My large sea-fashion trowsers were well calculated 
to suck up more of the frosty breezes of winter, than was 
fully agreeable to my notions of comforts, however their 
fashion might comport with the calling I had adopted. 

But my greatest sufferings were with my hands ; for 
they became so intolerably sore, by the harshness of the 
weather, and handling the rough cordage, I being used to 
none but in-door employment, and that of a light nature, 
as to make me almost cry out with pain, when taking hold 
of any part of the duty I had to perform. Frequently, 
the blood would gush out of the wind-dried cracks, and 
besmear the sails that I was handling, to the extent of re- 
ceiving a reprimand for my slovenliness. The only balm 
to heal my lacerated feelings, and the only bandages to 
screen my aching hands from the keen, cutting blasts, 
was the unbounded, exhilarating enthusiasm I felt for the 
service. 

My companions at the shipping office, came on board 
one by one, some with light hearts, while others, not- 
withstanding their protestations to the contrary, showed 
stronger symptoms that they 'wished they had'nt;' for but 
few of those 'nice young gentlemen' could bring them- 
selves at once to the circumstances under which they 
were placed, with any thing like comfort or ease. Their 
awkwardness, as well as unwillingness, laid them open, 
not only to the censure of tlie officers, but to the ridicule 



GOING ON BOARD. 33 

of all on ship-board. This I was determined to avoid, if 
possible, and did in part, greatly to my after satisfaction ; 
for I found a willing hand was called less often than 
one who was sour in disposition, and loth to step forward 
to his duty, till warned or threatened by his superior, in 
harsh or unpleasant terms. 

Till the third or fourth day, there was scarcely a sea- 
man on board, that had shipped for the cruise ; but now 
they came in numbers, and the preparations for sailing 
were fast verging towards completion, under their ready 
and experienced aid ; none appearing otherwise than 
anxious to be at sea. 

Our accommodations promised to be of the very worst 
description. The berth deck was floored with casks con- 
taining water and provisions for the cruise, without being 
covered with boards. Every thing was cleared away, 
except the bulkhead separating the cabin from the main 
and fore-hold ; these were thrown into one, for the better 
purpose of stowing the large quantity of prize goods — to 
be taken in prospective. The space between the casks 
and the deck was not more than four and a half feet ; and 
when the hammocks were slung, one could move under 
them in no way but upon all-fours. In this attitude of 
perambulating the hold, when the flooring is taken into 
consideration, as well as the roll of the vessel, we found 
it as rough and unpleasant as the reader can imagine it 
uncouth. 

By the advice of the prize-master before spoken of, I 
swung my hammock amidship, near the hatchway, a 
choice of value, as promised at the rendezvous, but dearly 
earned by a week's incessant labour. The only real value 
I could place upon this situation, was, my being rid of the 
inconvenience of passing the length of the hold at every 
watch call; but this was more than counterbalanced by 
having a plentiful supply of cold air sent shooting down 
by the slant of the fore-and-aft foresail, bringing half the 



34 GOING ON BOARD. 

smoke from the caboose, seasonably varied at times by a 
sprinkling of salt spray, or a wholesale rush of some top- 
pling wave, that had taken a fancy to share my hammock, 
with no other invitation than the open hatch afforded, 
which was never left closed except when blowing a gale. 

Besides, my distant shipmates had another advantage 
of location lost to me, that of skulking when their duty 
called them to the deck ; their situation being such, as to 
make it next to impossible for our butt-shaped boatswain 
to personally inspect their hammocks, to see if contain- 
ing aught but blanket and pillow ; whilst mine lay in his 
direct track, and could be seen into when standing in 
the hatchway. These advantages and disadvantages were 
pointed out to me when too late to profit by the informa- 
tion ; and I was reminded of them oftener than was plea- 
sant, by those longer in the profession, in the many ways 
the ingenuity of Jack in his mischief could devise. 

As to what was provided for our eating and drinking, 
no fault could be found ; for we had fresh bread and 
coffee twice a day, with well buttered steaks, soup and 
vegetables at dinner, and Jamaica spirits served out three 
times each day, of high proof and flavour. Not once 
while in harbour, did we have either hard bread only, or 
salt meat, nor other liquor than the best of spirits. 

On the seventeenth of December, the frigate Consti- 
tution, which had been swinging at her anchors, near by 
the brig, put to sea amidst the loud cheering from the sur- 
rounding shipping. Her lively crew readily returned 
cheer for cheer, ending with a parting salute from her 
deep-mouted cannon, whose loud bellowing came over 
the waters in tones to rouse the most sluggish to feelings 
of patriotism and deeds of glory. 

In the afternoon of the sixth day after 1 had been on 
board, a boat was seen pushing off from the wharf, head- 
ing towards us, well filled with men ; and as one was 
standing in the bows in a conspicuous attitude, he was 



GOING ON BOARD. 35 

thought to be the captain of the brig, who as yet had not 
been on board since she lay off in the stream. Due pre- 
parations were made for his proper reception, by clearing 
the gangway, tumbling the casks, cordage and tackle out 
of the way, which had hampered this part of the deck 
unavoidably, while receiving stores, baggage, and arma- 
ments of different kinds from the shore. As the boat had 
to struggle through the drifting ice for nearly a mile, the 
distance we lay from the wharf, there was ample time to 
make all snug ere it neared us. It fell to my lot to attend 
one of the hand ropes, at the ascending ladder, which 
afforded me a full view of the personage whose approach 
had caused so much bustle on board. 

As the boat neared the brig, I perceived it was not our 
captain, whom I knew, but one of much greater bulk and 
proportions, who by his garb was evidently from the coun- 
try. He was standing with one foot on the fore thwart 
of the boat, the other resting on its bows, with his head 
thrown back, displaying his full ruddy countenance to 
great advantage. His stature was of the largest kind, 
being more than six feet in height, and frame to corres- 
pond. Over his homespun habiliments was a great coat 
of ample dimensions, numbering several capes, but open- 
ing in front, so as fully to display his herculean frame 
from head to foot. His trowsers were full, and mi^ht 
have been called 'slouching,' but for the large limbs 
which they loosely covered, till gathered at the knees 
and hid by a pair of boot legs that would have sufficed 
for a colonel of dragoons, if dimensions and solidity were 
taken into consideration. The hat was worn high upon 
the back of the head, giving ease and meaning to the 
whole person. Upon a stick cut from his native woods, 
and resting over his shoulder, was hung his baggage, tied 
in a cotton handkerchief, after the fashion of the fortune- 
seeking pedestrians of that day. The large dark whis- 
kers, which nearly encircled his face, gave him the 



36 GOING ON BOARD. 

appearance of great daring at a first view, but on a nearer 
approach, the whole countenance indicated open mild- 
ness and good will to all, and one that to the most igno- 
rantly versed in physiognomy, might be read at a single 
glance, for his inward simplicity and kindness of heart, 
shone forth with a plainness but seldom seen, yet when 
once met with and viewed with earnestness, never for- 
gotten. 

The attitude of this man, while in the boat, if with 
another, would be taken as studied, but with him it was 
free, natural, and unknown to himself, and was without 
the least affectation or restraint. I never before nor since 
have seen so perfect and well made a man; and have 
contrasted the attitudes of many an actor and soldier, in 
my own mind, with this person, but all have fallen 
immeasurably short of him with the stick and bundle. 

On his gaining the deck, he stood for a moment gazing 
around without the least embarrassment, but evidently 
wondering at the strangeness of what he saw, walked aft 
with the bearing and assurance of a commodore, and in- 
quired where he should deposite his 'duds.' The first 
lieutenant referred him to me for assistance, I being 
nearest to them at the time. This worthy personage was 
our fifer. 

I assisted him in putting up his hammock next to mine, 
and made him acquainted with its use. These, and some 
other trivial civilities gained his friendship, which was 
mutually returned by me ; and each was anxious to ce- 
ment it the stronger during our short cruise and longer 
imprisonment. In no one instance did any thing occur 
to mar or cool our good wishes and feelings towards each 
other, and much satisfaction do I now take at this distant 
day, in running over in my mind, the kind feelings and 
goodness of heart of my companion in adversity and hard- 
ships, Amos Whipple. 

At supper, Amos was a little shy of the 'swill pail,' as 



GOING ON BOARD. 37 

he termed the kid, out of which each ladled his pot of hot 
coffee, but afterwards took hold with a good relish, and 
appeared to be at home. 

'You, with the long togs,' said one from the adjoining 
mess to ours, addressing his speech to the Fifer, 'I take it, 
are not much used to this way of taking your grub, by the 
shilly-shally manner you handle your panniken.' 

'Not exactly,' playfully returned the Fifer, 'yet when I 
am sharp-set, I can hold my own pretty well, even should 
the dirt be crusted deeper, than upon the dishes we are 
now feeding from,' and made a desperate lunge at the 
cold beef, as if, by the suddenness of the onset, he could 
quash all show of squeamishness. 

'A man must eat his peck' — 

'Give that chap an extra sop from the kid, before he 
spoils his manners by detailing what was stale before 
Adam was a reefer or Eve out of leading strings.' 

'Clap a nipper,' said the cut-short speaker, directing his 
looks towards the Loafer, 'upon yon hawk bill who is ad- 
miring the beauties of the joint of beef, in a way that will 
leave none for others to enjoy, if big mouthfuls and heavy 
gulping quickly followed up, have destructive meaning.' 

'I was but tasting the beef, and find it poor»compared 
to the ham.' 

'If your tastings go as deep all round, as they have into 
the joint, more caution to fend off.' 

'Fifer, your shy nibbling at the cold meat, seems to say, 
you are not used to make forks of your fingers ; have you 
ever before been on ship-board ?' 

'No ; till yesterday I never saw salt water, and till now 
I was never in a ship.' 

'Nor are you now, you ignoramus. Have you never 
been to school? Not know a brigantine from a ship?' 

'I have been through such books as tvere chosen by 
our school committee, yet I have never learned that one 
stranger is justified in sneering at another, because he 
4 v.l 



n 



8 VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

does not know what he is unused to. With all your 
knowledge, I doubt whether you can tell me the diffe- 
rence between a flat and a sharp in music' 

The answer was lost to the surrounding listeners, by 
another casting an end of spun yarn into the Fifers 
coffee. He started back with expanded eyes, stretching 
his fists some six inches beyond his coat sleeves, with 
evident signs of fight, saying, 

'Show me the nasty fellow, who has thrown his chaw- 
tobacco in my cup, and I'll teach him good manners, or 
make him eat it.' 

His determined warlike demonstrations advanced him 
at once in the opinion of the crew, and when he saw his 
mistake of supposing the tarred rope an inch of pig-tail, 
he joined in with the hearty good laugh that followed, 
which ended the threatened strife. 



CHAP. III. 

* VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

The vessel on board of which I had chosen to risk 
myself with others at this new calling, was hermaphrodite 
rigged, that is, her foremast was rigged as a brig, while 
her mainmast was rigged as a schooner; an advantage 
when on a wind, by bringing in use the enormous main- 
sail of the latter, and when before the wind, by squaring 
the yards of the former. She was a vessel of about three 
hundred and thirty tons, possessing great strength, lying 
low in the water, having a flush deck fore and aft, and a 
clipper of the first class, as she had proved herself by the 
many escapes she had made from the enemy, during her 
long and various cruisings ; above all, she had the reputa- 



VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 39 



tion of being lucky, which among seamen is no small 
advantage in the craft they sail in, and not to be slighted 
in any. 

Her late encounter with the boats of a British frigate, 
gave her an eclat far above any other privateer of the 
day ; and on her arrival so recently after the engagement, 
she was hailed with almost as much enthusiasm, as the 
arrivals were of our several frigates when coming into 
port, flushed with the recent victories they had gained 
over the enemy. And well she might share a por- 
tion of the public praise, for the fight was a bloody one, 
not a seventh part of her crew escaped being either killed 
or disabled. The enemy twice gained the deck of the 
brig, but were beaten back by the determined bravery of 
that little band, who had dwindled to less than a dozen 
ere the fight ceased ; and so precipitately were the enemy 
driven to their boats, that they left their arms on the brig's 
deck, such as muskets, pistols, swords, and boarding 
pikes, in quantities enough for the use of the brig in her 
now contemplated cruise. 

She had made several captures before her return to 
port, and came in loaded with so rich and valuable a 
cargo, that it was said each hand received twelve hun- 
dred dollars as his share of the prize money. Probably 
it was this, which aided in gaining for the brig so great a 
notoriety, and proved an attraction too alluring to be 
resisted by many, who otherwise never would have gone 
to sea. 

The brig mounted eighteen guns, of nine and eighteen 
pounders, was well fitted for doing good service ; having a 
complement of one hundred and sixty-three men, all told, 
each and all, from the captain down to the foremast hands, 
on shares, depending on the prizes they were to take for 
their only remuneration. 

Large calculations were made on the success of this 
vessel, both by those in her, their friends, and others 



40 , VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

interested ashore, no one supposing she could return to 
port, otherwise than laden with wealth. For this purpose 
every thing was cleared away underneath the deck, except 
the water and provision casks ; and these were to be dis- 
placed as fast as emptied, by the consumption of their 
contents by the brig's crew, leaving no impediment for 
the close stowing of the rich and costly goods of old 
England's workshops. The owners cared little for the 
welfare or convenience of the men, in their eagerness for 
gain, the men in part willingly complying with the un- 
comfortable accommodations, knowing what was the own- 
ers' gain, was theirs also. Some of the older seamen, 
when seeing the great inconvenience of so small a space 
as was allotted for the use below deck of so large a crew, 
remonstrated, but to little effect. 

Our present captain was her first lieutenant during her 
former cruisings, and was thought to possess every accom- 
plishment for a commander, possessing the fullest confi- 
dence of her late captain, who was now a large share- 
holder of his favourite brigantine, and had given her up 
to his lieutenant, solely on account of indisposition. 
Besides the captain, we had five lieutenants, nine prize- 
masters, quarter-masters, sailing-masters, boatswains, gun- 
ners, carpenters, and sail-makers in profusion ; each and 
all ready and willing to exercise the authority they pos- 
sessed over their inferiors in command, with a harsh bear- 
ing and sternness of disposition, but little suited to the 
quiet and peaceful habits of landsmen. This overbear- 
ing disposition and tyrannical propensity to rule with an 
iron rod, which each strove to exert to the utmost, in the 
plenitude of his power, was not, however, manifested 
while in harbour ; but on the contrary, all was suavity — 
gentleness gave way to kindness, which in turn had to 
succomb to a mildness, whose powers, if any, were more 
than counterbalanced by the smile with which they were 
graced. It seemed the officers almost vied with each 



VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 41 

other, to show who could do or say the most, to make the 
duty easy, the time pleasant and the fare agreeable to the 
men. At an observation of mine, that however roujrh our 
accommodations were below, no one could find fault with 
the duty on deck, or the gentlemanly officers we had to 
sail under ; an old salt close by, grunted out, 'wait till you 
get into blue water, before you praise the rope that is 
already chaffed,' which conveyed a meaning I was fully 
sensible of, before eight and forty hours from the harbour. 

Our captain was a Jew by persuasion, a Frenchman by 
birth, an American for convenience, and so diminutive in 
stature as to make it appear ridiculous in the eyes of others 
even for him to enforce authority among a hardy, weather- 
beaten crew, should they ever attempt to do aught against 
his will. As to his capacity in his present command, I 
will not pretend to pass judgment, for he came on board 
not till all was in readiness for sea. He afterwards showed 
himself but little on deck, till the chase which terminated 
with our capture, leaving the duty to the lieutenants, who 
were plentiful enough in the brig for a frigate of the first 
class. But if I may be allowed an opinion, of but little 
worth to be sure, it is, that his appearance never indicated 
his becoming a Howe or a Nelson. 

The first lieutenant was a man of quite another mould, 
and much liked by those under his charge. He never 
uttered an angry or harsh word, made use of no profane 
language, but was terrible even in his mildness, when 
faults occurred through carelessness or neglect. He knew 
what each man's duty was, and his capacity for fulfilling 
it — never putting more to the men's tasks, than they were 
able to get through with ; but every jot and tittle must be 
performed, and that to the very letter without flinching, 
or the task would be doubled. "While manoeuvring the 
men, he would go through with the various duties, without 
oaths, bluster, or even loud words, and do more, and 
in less time, than all the other officers on board, with 
4* v.l 



42 VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

their harsh threatenings, profane swearings, or loud 
bawlings through their speaking trumpets. The men 
honoured and obeyed him, and would have fought with 
any odds at his bidding, while some others might have 
received their wounds, if an engagement had taken place, 
from other sources than an enemy's broadside ; at least so 
I construed certain hints and inuendoes I frequently over- 
heard between decks, as the men came below from their 
duties, made doubly arduous by the capricious whims, of 
some petty officer, whilst clothed with a little brief autho- 
rity, and acting as officer of the deck. But then possibly 
I was not qualified to judge in these matters, as I was a 
noviciate and knew but little of the ways of seamen, and 
as little of human nature or the world at large. 

This plentiful supply of officers of every grade was a 
forethought of value, and for the express purpose of man- 
ning the many prizes, we were for a certainty to capture, 
without weakening the command of the brig, as each and 
all the prizes were sent into port. 

Of the crew, I will venture to say, there never was a 
more motley set came together, since the days of the first 
great navigator, Noah. There were Irish, English, French, 
Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, African and American sub- 
jects on board ; and many who could hail from no quarter 
of the globe, but whose destination required no conjuring 
to ascertain ; for by their wickedness and profanity, one 
might safely say none but Old Nick himself would claim 
them as subjects, and with little fear of his claim being 
disputed ; for if his kingdom be peopled with but a tythe 
of such as were on board of this privateer, he has enough 
to keep himself in employment for the next thousand 
years, provided he has any desire to break them to his 
will, without leaving them to his subordinates in office, 
and seeking new subjects amongst us poor mortals here on 
earth. 

We had five of the crew of the ill-fated Chesapeake,. 



VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 43 

when taken by the British frigate Shannon. These men 
had lain in Halifax prison, and been detained as hostages, 
from the time of their capture, till they were exchanged 
and sent home, where they arrived just in time to ship on 
board of the brig, and be again sent to prison. These 
men used to boast that while in prison they wheedled a 
minister of the gospel into the belief that they were 
piously inclined, and obtained from him the loan of seve- 
ral bibles, prayer and hymn books, which they soon ex- 
changed for rum, and was glad to be rid of the preacher's 
officiousness at so cheap a rate. 

Our gunner's mate came on board but shortly before 
sailing, and inquired with much apparent haste and ear- 
nestness for his baggage, which he said had been sent by 
a boat in the morning. Because he did not see his bag- 
gage at once, he swore and blustered about the decks and 
raved like a mad-man, as though his baggage was of the 
value of an Indiaman. I undertook the kind task of as- 
sisting him in his search, not doubting but that all his 
protestations were true. At it we went, searching into 
every crook and cranny of the brig, turning out the con- 
tents of this hammock, upturning that, diving between 
the casks and boxes, removing the vast coils of cordage in 
the fore-hold ; all however to no purpose. The baggage 
evidently had been put on board of some other vessel, 
through mistake, as I suggested to the man in trouble, 
after half an hour's incessant labour. 

'No,' said he, 'if it's not here, it's no where, for here I 
sent it, and here it ought to be, and here it would be, but 
for the land sharks on board — thus to rob the honest and 
unsuspecting is too bad, and I shall look to the owners for 
restitution.' 

'You hav'nt yet searched the bottom under the ballast,' 
sang out one with a grin. 

'Have you looked into the captain's breeches pockets ?' 
inquired another, with an impudent yaw-haw that might 
be heard as far as the beU, which was striking the hour. 



44 VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

'Did you try the doctor's medicine chest?' asked a 
third, without raising his look from his tobacco box, from 
which he was withdrawing a deposite. 

'Had you a suit in your bag, with alternate stripes of 
blue and drab V inquired a fourth ; 'because, if you had, 
you need not despair at your loss, for yonder you can get 
a match,' pointing his finger, at the same time, towards 
the state prison at Charlestown, which lay in full view. 
He of the lost baggage, quailed and dropped his chin, as 
though he had been struck with the palsy. He slunk out 
of sight for the time being, without as much as thanking 
me for the trouble I had been at in his service. 

It afterwards appeared, this man had just came out of 
the state prison, where he had served an apprenticeship of 
seven years at blacksmithing ; and immediately after his 
discharge, had shipped on board of the brig as mate to 
the gunner, and had pitched upon this plan, as an excuse 
for his want of baggage. Not an article of any thing did 
he possess, except what was on his body, and that of the 
common cotton fabrics of the country. He was as spare 
of flesh, as he was of clothing, but his diabolical cut-throat 
look and abhorrent disposition more than made amends 
for all his other failures. 

Nineteen of the crew had never before been to sea, 
some of whom were from the country, and had never 
seen salt water till shipping to cruise in this redoubtable 
privateer. One of these I cannot pass by without a few 
remarks, as he differed from all others in the brig. 

This one had read in the newspapers of the wonderful 
achievements of this vessel, the many prizes she had cap- 
tured, the large amounts of prize money shared by those 
interested, and concluded he too could add a couple thou- 
sand dollars to his small amount of earnings, without inter- 
fering with his time. All things were made sung at home, 
and off he started on his cruise to sea, not doubting but 
that he would return early in the spring, and do the 



VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 45 

ploughing and planting as usual, without being any the 
worse for the wealth he should bring with him from the 
coffers of some rich nabob. 

He was totally unfit for any such expedition. He did 
not think it necessary to bring with him a second shirt or 
pair of stockings, supposing, as he said, that the first prize 
would supply all deficiencies of this sort. He left an 
aged father at home, 'with nothing to do but to take care 
of the cattle, chop wood, and do the chores about the 
house,' till his return. The service and living were so 
different from any thing he had been accustomed to, 
that his spirits w r ere crushed at the onset. His case was 
truly pitiful to every one on board ; for he was unable to 
do any thing handily, or take hold of any part of the duty 
with ease to himself or satisfaction to the officers or men, 
and w r as always and continually in the way of others — 
from many receiving a kick or a cuff, from others a snarl 
and a curse, without noticing the degradation farther than 
as a part of the duty assigned to him. I have no doubt in 
his own native hills, he w r as as useful as others in his sta- 
tion of life ; but here he was out of his element, more so 
than any other I ever saw, and was alike burdensome to 
himself and to others. He went by the cognomen of 
Nimble Billy, given in contradistinction to his ox-like 
movements about the decks. He appeared cheerful 
enough till he had been on board two or three days ; after 
which he rarely smiled, and to my knowledge never 
laughed nor joined in any of the frivolities, with the 
others, which went far to lighten their tasks ; but with 
this man every social sentiment seemed to have become 
extinct, leaving nothing but an inanimate mass of indiffe- 
rence, as though, 'come what may' could make no further 
impression upon his spirits, so sadly was he disappointed 
in his undertakings. 

My fellow lodger, the Fifer, was of different metal, 
although as great a stranger to salt water and the work on 



46 VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

ship-board, as the one last spoken of. He was jovial, fond 
of a joke, open-hearted, kind, and well stored with good 
sound sense ; yet his knowledge of the world or mankind 
was the slightest and even child-like. The greatest of 
his faults was, that he supposed others to be as honest as 
himself, receiving as gospel truth all that was told him. 
I feel incompetent to convey to the understanding of my 
readers the character of this man, as I have never fallen 
in with his like ; neither have I ever read of just such a 
temperament as he possessed. Perhaps I can give no 
better idea of him, than by relating his story as told to me 
by himself, the first night that he slept on board, as we 
lay side by side in our hammocks. 

He was the only son of a blacksmith, of Berkshire 
county, in the upper part of the state of Massachusetts, 
who had amassed considerable property by a life of in- 
dustry and frugality, leaving it to the management of 
Amos, at his death, which occurred about six years prior 
to this cruise. Amos at that time was in his twentieth 
year. Being a good workman, he took upon himself 
the direction of the shop as well as the management of 
the farm ; and with his widowed mother and an only 
sister, younger than himself, both of whom he spoke in 
the most endearing terms of affection, they lived happily 
and comfortably together. He was by nature volatile, 
hilarious and talkative, fond of amusement and com- 
pany — had been always indulged by an over fond mother 
in every wish of his heart, and possessed a form and face 
in the greatest degree attractive and fascinating. With 
these attributes, it is not to be wondered that he was a 
'spoilt boy.' He was courting half the females in a com- 
munity of ten miles square, at the same time, jilting or 
dropping off this and that one as his fancy dictated, with- 
out any one's daring to say, 'why do you so ?' and he had 
thus continued half-courting, gallanting with whomsoever 
he chose, till he came under that enviable distinction, a 
'privileged beau.' 



VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 47 

At last 'Little Filly,' (no other name could I ever learn 
from Amos, and the only secret he ever kept) took such 
hold of him, that he was forced to give up all the others 
for her alone. 'For,' said he, 'she is a selfish little mortal 
and would not be courted at all, unless in her own way — 
scarcely asking my advice about it. I told her it took two 
to make a bargain — 'yes, a dozen, unless I agree,' was all 
I got for my advice !' Preparations for marriage were 
made, and the day appointed, when at some supposed 
slight, she too was dropped. 'Not for good,' in his own 
words, 'but to humble her, that she might come into traces 
of her own accord.' But Little Filly was of different 
stuff from those he had before met with, and he could 
gain nothing by his stubbornness. 

'So, I hooks on to another flame, courts and jilts away 
as before for some time, appearing as happy as a lark, but 
to no purpose or ease of mind ; for to tell the truth, I felt 
as though the little vixen was chawing my very vitals 
within me. I could get no rest, while she, to all outward 
show, did'nt care a copper whether I courted others or 
drowned myself. At last, after toughing it out five 
months, I couldn't stand it any longer — had to knuckle — 
knock under to a girl of seventeen, a thing all creation 
shan't make me do again, if I die for it.' 

Hear ! the tip-top beau of Berkshire ! the smith of the 
village! leader of the singers in church ! the best fifer in 
the regiment ! a freeholder, and, was to be, the next can- 
didate for the legislature ! he, that stood A No. 1, with 
the girls throughout the county ! had to bow to the man- 
dates of love, ask forgiveness for the past, and promise 
better for the future ! 

This negotiation was carried on through his sister, who 
was in the confidence of Little Filly ; but she would re- 
ceive no proposition except in writing. As his words 
before had proved false, she must now have his intentions 
in black and white. He wrote her, promising marriage, 



48 VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 

and leaving with her to name the day, early or late, 
'Bitter as was the pill, I had to swallow it,' meaning the 
humble state she had brought him to. In answer, she 
rejected his offer, giving as her reasons, that she was well 
convinced they could not long be happy together, and 
however repugnant to her feelings, it would be better for 
them to see each other no more. 

He tied a few things in his handkerchief, took his stick, 
and, not knowing definitely where he w r as going, walked 
off, without saying good-bye to mother or sister, and left 
his business and farm as it was, without any directions 
soever, what should be done, or to whose management 
they should be under; nor did he cease going till he 
reached Boston, where his scanty funds were exhausted. 
Accidentally falling in with the drummer of the brig, 
although total strangers to each other, in his present pre- 
dicament, he was easily persuaded to enter as her fifer, 
and immediately repaired on board. 

The letter of his 'Little Filly,' he showed me, with 
the exception of the signature, and a more thrilling and 
affecting one I have never read. It was written by one 
of good education, great refinement of sentiment, and 
under much excitement of feelings ; and while reading, I 
could scarcely refrain from tears. She reasoned well — 
that his wayward spirit and fickleness of mind would 
bring unhappiness to them both, and as they w r ere now, so 
it were better for them to remain — hoping for his future 
happiness, and piously invoking a blessing upon his under- 
takings through life, with all the fervour and w r armth of 
her high wrought imagination, proving by her earnestness 
that Amos' welfare was not altogether indifferent to her. 

T don't care a stubnail,' said he, 'for the jade, but she 
has got an evidence of my darned foolishness in my own 
hand-writing,' and the tears started into his manly eyes, 
even while he was describing his disinterestedness. I 
used every persuasion I was master of, for him to write to 
his mother, before the vessel sailed, but to no effect. 



VESSEL, CREW AND ARMAMENT. 49 

'No,' said he, 'I was a fool for leaving home in the 
manner I did, I was a fool for writing to Little Filly, but 
I will not make myself a greater fool by telling them so. 
I will go the cruise, and try to accommodate myself to the 
service in which I have volunteered, without flinching 
from the hardships and dangers I may meet; but till it 
is ended, mv relations shall not know where I am.' 

His light heart soon rallied, and he would enter into 
the sailors' frolics with all the relish and good feelings 
imaginable ; for he was a whole-souled jolly companion — 
every feeling lay at the brim, ready to gush forth at the 
slightest thought or hint. It was easily seen that he 
would be the butt for all on board to crack their jokes and 
rid their overflowing spirits of ridicule and raillery upon ; 
this he took all in good part — if angered, only for the mo- 
ment, never showing surliness, but always ready with the 
return joke, come from which quarter it might. Let him 
be sent to whatsoever place it pleased the fancy of Jack, 
to look for a 'crook in the mainmast,' he good naturedly 
would proceed on the search, and not know he was burnt, 
till the laugh was raised from every quarter, when his 
would be heard above the loudest ; and seldom was it, 
but he would pin the hoax to the roaster in the end, who 
first started him on his tomfool's errand. 

With such a temperament, it was not long before the 
Fifer was a general favourite with all, although their butt ; 
and he could go further or do less without a reprimand, 
than any other man in the brig. 

Sunday, the seventh day of my being on board, the 
foretopsail was let fall, the signal for sailing, as a decoy 
to fetch on board the many that had shipped, but who had 
not yet made their appearance. The deception had the 
desired effect, and before noon we numbered nearly all 
who were to go in the brig. 

With the aid of a glass, in the afterpart of the day, I 
perceived a boat coming from the shore with some of my 
5 v.l 



50 VESSEL, CREW AXD ARMAMENT. 

acquaintances. In less than five minutes I was busily 
engaged with the contents of a water bucket, scrubbing 
away with as much earnestness as a freebooter to work 
out of the range of the guns of a frigate ; nor ceased my 
diligence, till diving the hatch and divesting my outward 
person of my tarry ducks, which displayed more of the 
paint pots and slush buckets, than even my fancy notions 
of the service could stomach to exhibit to the eves of 
those, who had previously jeered me no little at the sin- 
gularity of my taste. I soon donned a suit of true blue, 
and was in readiness to meet those who took an inte- 
rest in my welfare, in respectful attire, before the boat 
reached the brig. 

I was earnestly but kindly requested to quit my present 
intentions, and return to those who wished my destination 
to be other than the future promised. But no ; my inten- 
tions were not thus to be altered, my zeal was not cooled 
in the least, but rather the little service I had seen in 
harbour only roused my ambition the more, making my 
desires now stronger than ever for a trial at sea life. For 
me now to turn back, after going thus far, was showing 
the white feather to my shipmates' triumph, at which my 
pride revolted, however I might secretly wish to be rid of 
the hardships in store for me, by ignorantly trying my first 
essay upon the ocean in a privateer, and with a crew but 
little removed in disposition and propensities, from those 
who sail under colours of no acknowledged origin, and 
claim protection from none, save what their own strong 
arm and daring disposition can afford them. 

I was bidden farewell with much tenderness of feeling, 
and my friends expressed great solicitude for my future 
welfare and safe return, and earnestly requested to 
write wherever the vessel might touch, and relieve the 
anxiety of my parents as to my health, comforts and 
enjoyments — ending with a fervent hope, that the pre- 
sent cruise would wean me from an occupation repug- 
nant both to friends and relations, and that I might return 



PUTTING TO SEA. 5k 

as fully content with a shore life, as latterly I had exhi- 
bited enthusiasm for service afloat. 'No! mine is an 
ardour that never cools ; but, on the contrary, it will burn 
the fiercer by the difficulties and dangers it may encoun- 
ter,' mentally was the answer, after their departure. 



CHAP. IV. 

PUTTING TO SEA. 



Monday, December 21st, the foretopsail again was 
dropped, and the signal made for all to repair on board, 
not shamming it as before, but now in good earnest. At 
twelve o'clock the anchor was weighed, accompanied with 
the merry 'heave-yo,' and all on board appeared with as 
light hearts and joyous spirits, as though it were a pleasure 
party on a fishing excursion to the outward harbour. Each 
seemed to strive how he could excel his shipmate in ex- 
pediting the preparatory orders of the officers of the deck, 
and in no face did I see a longing for the shore. 

We stretched out and in the harbour some two hours, 
occasionally firing a gun to bring off the laggers, who were 
yet on shore. The brig was hove-to for the last time 
about a mile and a half from the wharf, when a boat was 
descried heading towards us, with but a single man besides 
those at the oars, who were labouring hard to reach us 
through the roughened water, and bleak north wind, 
which was fresh at the time, and the cold so intense, as 
to convert the spray, salt as it was, into ice, wherever it 
lodged. 

As the boat came near, the passenger was quickly 
known by his 'seven-leagued' caped drab great-coat and 



52 PUTTING TO SEA. 

table cloth shawl, with which his neck was enclosed, as 
the best whip in Boston ; he had baggage enough to freight 
a small steamboat; and when told that no common hand 
was allowed a chest, he hastily snatched a few articles 
which lay nearest to hand at the top, locked it, put 
the key in his pocket, gave the boatmen some directions 
as to returning the baggage, leaped on board just as the 
brig fell off and was filling away, and in five minutes was 
beyond the hail of the boat, standing on the way to the 
Atlantic ocean, with a ten knot breeze. 

Whoever was accustomed to pass through Batterymarch, 
or in the neighbourhood of the hackney coach stand near 
the foot of Fort Hill, at any time between 1S10 to the 
latter part of 1814, must have known this man, not only 
from the peculiarity of his dress, but for his untiring solici- 
tude to obtain passengers, and when obtained doing naught 
but to please. In summer he always wore a blue short 
dress, studded closely with bright metal buttons ; and in 
winter all was covered with his drab great-coat, shingled 
with its pile upon pile of capes past numbering, entirely 
over-doing the fashion when in its greatest vogue. His 
neckcloth was of the most ample kind, both in summer 
and in winter, being stuffed till it protruded far beyond the 
chin, leaving but little room for aught else upon the shoul- 
ders save this life-preserver shaped cravat. His hair, dark 
and glossy, was always twisted in spiral curls down his 
cheeks, and at no great distance might easily be mistaken 
for a respectable pair of whiskers. His face was of a glassy 
shining scarlet, ever covered with smiles ; in whatever situ- 
ation he might be seen, his smiling good humoured coun- 
tenance was the same. He had but little to say, and that 
altogether pertaining to his business, always acquiescing in 
all that was said by others, however negative the argu- 
ment might appear. His vocation taught him the valuable 
lesson of contradicting none, nor turning a deaf ear to the 
tale of any, however improbable ; and was ever able and 



PITTING TO SEA. 53 

willing to laugh equally hearty at the joke, whether at his 
own or another's expense. 

And thus was he when he came on board. I could 
scarcely believe but the first word from him would be 
'coach! coach, sir?' so habituated was he to the use of this 
salute, whenever he descried a person making towards 
him, and so accustomed was I to hear him when passing 
his stand. It was a settled principle with him never to let 
any pass without the inquiry of 'coach, coach, sir? ready 
at a word ;' notwithstanding the one hailed might cross his 
path every half hour in the day, yet coachee never let the 
opportunity slip of an offer of his services. 

By sturdy diligence and strict economy, he had been 
enabled to increase his stock, by adding a hack and a span 
of horses to the one he drove himself, when he was seized 
with the mania for prize money, employed a driver to his 
carriage, left all to the management of his wife, and put off" 
to overtake the brig, which he could not have done had he 
been ten minutes later. He little knew of the jaws that 
were gaping for the destruction of his hopes. At an ob- 
servation of one of the officers, that he came near losing 
his chance in the brig, his reply was, 

'I should, but I'm lucky; never had bad luck in my 
life.' 

'A long road is it that has no turn,' was the answer he 
received. 

Our carpenter, likewise, came on board at the eleventh 
hour, to better his condition. He was carrying on the 
pump and block business in Broad street with a partner, 
but not making money fast enough, he, although rising 
two score years in age, with a family of several children, 
must cruise for dollars, where they were to be found in 
greater plenty than in the place of his birth ; leaving wife, 
children, acquaintances and comforts, in exchange for hard 
fare in a privateer and short allowance in a loathsome 
prison. His services were valuable in the brig, as he pos- 
5* v.l 



54 PUTTING TO SEA. 

sessed an able head to plan, with a ready hand to execute 
any alteration or improvement necessity required. After 
getting below the light-house in the outer harbour, we lay- 
to, not wishing to run out by daylight, as there were seve- 
ral vessels of the enemy cruising in the bay, in readiness 
to nab any tiling which dared to put to sea, that they 
could intercept. 

The men were now divided into two watches, the 
hatches made fast, the guns secured, the ice cleared from 
the bows, which had accumulated by the intensity of the 
cold to an alarming degree, and we were kept busily at 
making all things snug and secure previous to running out. 

At six o'clock, p. m. the fire and lights were extinguish- 
ed, the yards squared to the wind, and we pushed boldly 
out to sea with a stiff' breeze, which bore us along at the 
rate of twelve and a half miles per hour. As we gained 
the ocean, and the brig plunged to the billows and careen- 
ed to the wind, I never felt a greater glow of spirits in my 
life ; I stood in the cold blast snuffing the gale, with a 
wish that it might blow the harder, and gathered excite- 
ment in proportion to the turbulence around me. When 
the turn of my watch came to go below, at ten o'clock, 
I chose to remain on deck, to see and view the wonders 
of ray favourite element, upon which I was now duly 
launched, without the possibility of any mishap carrying 
me back, for which I had been in dread from the day 
I came on board till the present time. I tired not, but 
was as nimble and light as a squirrel when needed in any 
part of the vessel, or was called to a portion of the duty 
going on, striving to be foremost in all things where I 
could be of any use. When at leisure I was at the ex- 
treme head of the brig, viewing the turbulent waters with 
equal amazement and delight. As the brig plunged 
through the seas under her enormous crowd of canvass, 
(for we were anxious to gain as much oiling as possible 
before daylight, the enemy's cruisers having been seen off 



PUTTING TO SEA. 55 

the harbour the day previous,) the spray dashed high over 
the bows and forecastle, on which I stood, deluging me 
frequently from head to foot ; yet I felt it not, cold as it 
was, in my fever of excitement, but gloated over the ap- 
pearance of the white-capped waves, as they came rolling 
on one after the other, till I grew weary with enjoyment. 

Most of the green hands had become miserably sick, 
even in the first watch of the night, and were teased as 
much by the tormenting pranks of their well shipmates, 
as they suffered from the rolling and pitching of the vessel. 
As I had weathered it beyond all others, I began to hope 
I should escape altogether this terrible nausea of sea- 
sickness, and kept moving about with as much glee and 
liveliness as ever, knowing it the best preventive to keep 
off this horrid sickness, with which most all are doomed 
to suffer when first going to sea. Towards the end of 
the watch, about three o'clock in the morning, I felt a 
change come over me, and in spite of my exertions in 
fighting against it, I was soon pumping, and stopped not, 
till the pumps sucked for want of material to work upon. 
My sickness was proportionably bad to the length of time 
it was coming on, compared with the others who had sick- 
ened before me. I was like a rag, as little able to help 
myself as I felt a disposition to help others, and of all on 
board I was the worst. 

When my turn came to go below with the rest of the 
watch, at four o'clock, I left all those exciting scenes on 
deck to the enjoyment of others, being glad to partake of 
rest and quietness where and when I could. Three hours 
previous, I would not have believed such a change could 
occur, if my limbs had been lopped off severally from my 
body. 

My friend, the Fifer, did not suffer as much as myself 
in realitv, but in imagination, more than all the others in 
the brig, and, basing one's judgment upon his own asser- 
tions, more than mankind ever suffered before, or ever 



56 PUTTING TO SEA. 

would hereafter. In the midst of his paroxysms, he 
would first blast his own eyes for leaving his home in the 
manner he did, then rail at his mother for not forcibly 
detaining him from going away — now, snarlingly wish 
Little Filly had been at better business, than making a 
fool of him as well as of herself, and lastly he would 
wind up with a tender blessing on the dear little creature, 
who had caused him to undergo so much illness of body 
and uneasiness of mind, ending with a flood of tears 
worthy a girl of sixteen, for the fate of her favourite hero 
of novel reading. 

'Here am I, Amos Whipple, swinging about in a 
wretched apology for a bed, without a stitch of covering 
(he had come on board without a blanket, and the bed- 
ding furnished by the brig was not of the best) to keep 
my miserable carcass from shivering, which should now 
be snug in the best feather-bed in Berkshire, made from 
geese of my own rearing ; oh, little did I think when I 
was caring for them, I should turn out the greatest goose 
of the whole flock. But I shall die — I know I shall die, 
and my end shall be laid to Little Filly's doings — much, 
much, has she to answer for — bless her little heart.' 

Now followed some request, how he wished the infor- 
mation, should he die, conveyed to his relatives, and he 
would sob and mourn at his hapless fate, till rallied by 
some neighbouring joker, or cursed by a confirmed grum- 
bler, for keeping others from their rest, who could take it 
in any shape, when his light spirits would come to his 
relief, and for the moment he was the happiest of the 
happy. 

The day following that on which we sailed, confirmed 
the caution of the old salt, in the preceding chapter; for 
we were most forcibly convinced by the eatables set 
before us, that we had not a market to go to for fresh pro- 
visions, and by treatment, that we were in blue water. 
Our sumptuous living while in harbour, was now changed 



PUTTING TO SEA. 57 

to that of the coarsest kind, for we had nothing but salt 
junk for dinner — and for supper and breakfast, what was 
left from the preceding dinner, provided we chose to 
lengthen out the small quantity beyond the first serving 
up. We had nothing of a nourishing kind from the time 
we left port, till we were captured. Could we have had 
but a cup of hot water sweetened, it would have recruited 
the exhaustion of those who were at sea for the first time, 
suffering with that most horrid, of all debilitating nausea, 
sea-sickness ; but even this was denied us. Each had 
his rations of salt beef and hard biscuit, together with the 
daily allowance of a half pint of potato whiskey, in lieu 
of the Jamaica spirits, as before sailing ; beyond these, we 
had nothing either for food or beverage, except cold water. 
The mess in which I claimed membership, was com- 
posed of four green hands, or those who never before had 
been upon salt water, and two 'old ones.' I was often 
amused at the joyousness of the latter, for the former's 
sickness, and want of appetite ; they never rose from their 
meals, without returning sincere thanks, for the goodness 
thus bountifully showered upon them, by thus being 
thrown into such dainty company — fervently praying 
with the solemnity of practised piety, that our sickness 
might be increased rather than lessened, and continued to 
the end of the cruise. If their prayers were as well 
attended to, and with the same devotional feelings, for 
their future welfare, they need not despair of their rest in 
the world to come. They would say the eatables were 
nothing to brag of, but the potato whiskey, nauseous as it 
was, they pronounced a nectar above price, a real godsend, 
fully making up for all the deficiences of the former. To 
my knowledge, there was not one drop of whiskey drank 
in my mess by any except these two old tars, from the 
time of our sailing, till its serving out ceased with our 
capture. They devoured it in its raw state, with a high 
relish and gusto, unenvied by us, who were its intended 
recipients. 



5S PUTTING TO SEA. 

The second night after our sailing, I did not refuse 
taking my regular watch below, instead of indulging in 
my romantic notions of the night previous, of watching the 
rolling sea from the forecastle deck, and was well content 
to take my rest as I could in my regular turn. I thought 
it somewhat annoying, however, in being disturbed by 
the periodical rounds of our Dirk Hatteraick boatswain, 
and set my wits at work (always supposing any were 
remaining from the severity of the last twenty-four hours 
sickness) to counteract these unwished-for visits of cere- 
mony. 

During the abundance and prodigality of our provisions 
while in harbour, I had saved a part of my share of the 
'Jamaica,' thinking the time might come when it would 
be of service, I at the time not being much of a drinker 
of the raw material as given us. To give the surplus 
away at the time of receiving it, was neither charitable 
nor benevolent, as all had more than was necessary for 
their wants. 

In the boatswain's first round to 'rouse up the larboard 
watch,' he found a delinquent in my hammock, who 
plead hard for permission to rest where he was during the 
watch ; but was bluntly told by the boatswain, it was 
more than his commission was worth, for him to wink 
at skulking in any shape — swore the delinquent was a 
heathen, for supposing that his duty could be tampered 
with — called him a skulker of the worst stamp — was a 
sacrilegious greenhorn — a Hottentot who would eat his 
mother — a worse than a devil, for asking for what he did, 
for expecting requests of this unnatural kind would be 
granted, and that 'sick or not sick, on deck you shall go, 
if it's only as a punishment for insinuating a hint that my 
high reputation as a boatswain can in any wise be worked 
upon by a horse-marine like yourself.' 

Matters appeared approximating towards a collision, 
when our delinquent remembered the bottle, and forth- 



PUTTING TO SEA. 59 

with hinted there was matter in the head of the hammock 
worth all the rest, hammock, contents, and all. Before 
the hint was fully developed, the neck of the bottle was so 
glued to the lips of the sucker, as to appear a part and 
parcel of the whole, and the gurgling, gulping sounds 
which followed, convinced me, the delinquent aforesaid, 
that the hint was improved upon ; nor did the sounds 
cease, or the lips or the bottle's neck grow weary, till I 
went through with the calculation of the exact worth of a 
boatswain's commission and well earned reputation, in a 
privateer brig of eighteen guns, which I found amounted 
to the sum total of a five minutes pull at the nozzle of 
a demijohn, whose contents was fourth proof Jamaica 
spirits. 

I was let alone for a time ; but the taste of the bottle 
brought my tormentor to my hammock much oftener than 
his duty of 'rousing up' required, and I remonstrated at 
his frequent visits, saying it could not be possible my 
watch should come every half hour of the night. 

'If you doubt my correctness of keeping time,' said the 
old Turk, 'why go on deck, and ascertain for yourself.' 
This I felt was carrying the doubt too far, and I was quite 
willing for him to have his own way of reckoning the 
hour, provided I -was not disturbed in my place of com- 
parative comfort, maugre the loss of the spirits. 

Every thing must come to an end, as did the contents 
of my bottle, and the comforts of a snooze below, while 
my place was on deck ; for no argument of mine proved 
strong enough to overcome his prejudices and threats. 

'On deck you shall go,' said he, 'and you owe thanks 
to my good nature, that you are not reported to the officer 
of the deck, for hiding yourself out of my sight ; so up 
and be off, and that quickly, for no more excuses will I 
hear, unless you first produce the fellow to the bottle just 
now emptied, in which I have joined fellowship, merely 
to keep it from others who would make a bad use of it.' 
The second bottle was not so easily obtained, and with- 



60 PUTTING TO SEA. 

out farther ado, I went on deck, stood my watch, and did 
my duty ever after, as far as strength permitted. 

It was amusing to see us sitting around our kid, the 
half of a keg sawed in two, in which we received our 
'grub' from the hands of the cook ; none partaking of a 
particle, except the two seamen before spoken of, who 
would use every possible persuasion for us to join with 
them in the meal, and show an air of sociability. Some- 
times were they in earnest, but more frequently in banter 
and raillery did they laugh at the squeamishness of our 
stomachs ; but always ending their meal with a hope our 
sickness might never be less. 

The lamentations of the Fifer were at times truly laugh- 
able, affording life to the whole circle. 

'Who, in the name of common sense, can eat such as 
this,' said he. 'It's not swill nor victuals. I have not a 
hog at home but would grunt 'his surly dislike at the best 
I have seen since my ill-fate brought me on board of this 
miserable vessel ; and were I to feed them as we are fed, 
I should be afraid to eat pork for the remainder of my 
days, fearing it would give me a likeness to the beasts for 
my hard-heartedness ; and for my inhumanity I should be 
drummed out of Berkshire.' 

All his comparisons and similes were of 'Berkshire,' till 
the whole of the crew got hold of it in derision, and ban- 
died it about upon every occasion, till he swore, in his 
homely way, which never amounted to more than 'I 
swow,' 'darn my pluck,' 'dang my buttons,' 'Ivowny,' &.c. 
&.c. (not recordable,) that they knew as little about Berk- 
shire as he did of the rig of a ship, and if ever they 
wished to appear respectable in knowledge, they must 
visit there. 

One day that we were at our meal, and he, the Fifer, 
was dealing out his complaints freely, with but little notice 
being taken of what he said, for he was rather a privi- 
leged character in this respect, and frequently said that in 



PUTTING TO SEA. 61 

the presence of the officers, which from another would 
have been hushed with a reprimand, a head bobbed down 
the hatchway, from which issued a voice, politely con- 
veying the respects of the captain, 'wishing to know how 
the young gentlemen fared, who were sickish, and 
whether there was any thing they could relish ; for it 
was only for them to name it, and their wants should 
be supplied, it being his whole aim to make them com- 
fortable.' 

'Tell the captain,' said the Fifer, in the honest simpli- 
city of his heart, 'that I can eat a piece of apple-pie, with 
a cup of tea, as strong as can be made, without sugar.' 

After the lapse of a few minutes, the voice inquired 
whether he chose milk or cream with the tea? 

'Either will do, for I am no ways hard to please, so 
that you are quick.' 

Again, while he was waiting with much patience, did 
the voice ask, whether toast would not do in the place of 
the apple-pie ; and said that he would have to wait for 
the milk till the boat returned, which had just been sent 
ashore to Cape Fly-away. 

This was kept up for sometime, till the vessel resounded 
with — 

'Pass the word for the Fifer's apple-pies.' 

'Stand by there to catch the toast and tea.' 

'Bear a hand with the silver salver and the Fifer's 



grub.' 



'Yes, and an easy chair, boot-jack and slippers, with the 
tackle-falls in readiness to ease him to his couch.' 

'Let the loblolly boy be in readiness with the bite of a 
rope, to fan him to sleep ; no harm if he mistake his back 
for his shaggy whiskered face, and lathers a little of the 
spleen out of him.' 

When he found out their aim, and was aware of the 
hoax put upon him, he would join in heartily with their 
laugh, and was as well pleased as though he had not been 
6 v.l 



G2 PUTTING TO SEA. 

made their dupe. As I before said, he had more good 
common sense, than falls to the share of men in general ; 
but then his was entirely uncultivated, or not softened 
down for the want of mixing with the world's throng. 
His education was such as he had received at the school 
in his native village, but of mankind he knew nothing, 
and was unused to the ways of the world to the extent of 
a novice. 

I shall never forget the mirth his first duty, as a fifer, 
produced on board of the brig, and I feel incompetent to 
convey to the reader his attitude and twistings, so as they 
may be intelligible ; for the scene must be viewed to be 
understood or enjoyed. 

At the first mustering at quarters, when at sea, the 
drummer and fifer were stationed a little forward of the 
mainmast, with the rest of the crew at their several sta- 
tions. The Fifer stood at his fullest height, tall and erect, 
with his fife at his chin, in readiness at the signal for the 
ro H ; — his elbows elevated at right angles from the shoul- 
ders, stretched to the distance of unneighbourly kindness 
towards each other; his countenance was lighted up with 
an animation suitable for the occasion, and to a degree 
that nothing else but his favourite employment could pro- 
duce, forgetting for the time that he was from his home, 
upon an element he both disliked and dreaded. At the 
given signal, a blast from the fife was sent forth, which 

DO 7 * 

might have been heard, if blown among his own hills, at 
the distance of miles, accompanied with a trill to match, 
whose length and duration made me suppose he had im- 
bibed the strength and capacity of his own bellows. As 
he struck into 'hoist away the anchor,' (a not very appro- 
priate tune for mustering at quarters, but a favourite of 
his) and grew warm with the business before him, he 
would bring his left foot into play, and at each successive 
Tepeat, would send it on deck with a force and sound far 
above that of the drum at his side. This motion was not 






PUTTING TO SEA. 63 

long: confined to the left foot, but soon besran to show itself 
in other parts of the frame, till the whole person was in a 
constant supple-jack motion. Now, as he came to a part, 
in which he wished to show both the graces of his atti- 
tude and the beauties of his tune, he would bend low, as 
though he was suddenly seized with the cramp cholic, 
jamming his left elbow into- the seat of pain, and thump- 
ing it heavily in proportion to the particular emphasis 
required, with the other elevated to preserve the due pro- 
portion of balance throughout. As he slid off into another 
attractive part of his music, he would rise upon his toes, 
come down suddenly on his heels, staccatoing his notes to 
the admiration of his hearers. Again, in smoothing off a 
cadence, he would stretch wide his knees, and while 
squatting, graduate his movements to the motions of his 
finders, so as to charm the listeners with the softness of 
his notes, and the fascinating attitude he had chosen, till 
their attention was instantly diverted to his high spring 
into the air, giving meaning to his notes, music to his 
hearers, and exercise to himself. 

When gaining strength and wind for any peculiar part, 
or rather a strain on which he wished to lay unusual stress, 
(for all parts of both music and action were peculiar, as 
well as unique in the highest degree,) he would gasp and 
bobble with his mouth, like a bull-frog at the bait upon the 
hook of a fisher-boy's line, throwing his head far back out 
of the perpendicular, not unlike the frog, to continue the 
comparison, after he has taken the bait and it proving not 
to his liking, is trying to back out from his hard bargain. 
After he had worked in a sufficient quantity of material, 
without losing a note, a blast came forth shrill and loud in 
proportion to the gas and strength gathered in this ludi- 
crous manoeuvre. So interested would he become in his 
all-engrossing subject, it was not unfrequent that some one 
had to pull the fife from his mouth, before he heard the 
word 'halt,' or 'hold on' ; and if this happened in the mid- 



64 PUTTING TO SEA. 

die of a part, he would go through with his false motions 
to the end, even then finding it difficult to still his bodily 
quavers, so enthusiastically was he engaged with his 
subject. His knowledge of fifing was limited to a few 
tunes, and these the most hackneyed and of the oldest 
fashion, such as 'Nancy Dawson,' 'Molly put the kettle on,' 
a march or two, the 'revellee,' 'retreat,' and some com- 
mon hornpipes ; but his ear was quick, was perceptive 
of faults in others, and his memory retentive. The sup- 
pleness of his hard-working fingers, clumsy as they were, 
was very surprising, and the man only wanted instruction 
to become a first-rate musician. Here, however, his beau- 
ties were all confined to his strengh of wind and bodily 
actions, making up to the curious for all other deficiencies. 
I doubt very much, whether an audience would not be as 
highly gratified at a half-hour's exhibition of this man, as 
they would be with the most refined orchestrial perform- 
ance, when knowing he was actuated by enthusiasm, in- 
stead of a wish to gratify his hearers, for he made earnest 
of all his undertakings. 

I fear the reader may say there is more time taken up 
with the Fifer, than is requisite for the station he held ; but 
to such I will answer, that I am recording events as I then 
viewed them, as they were then impressed upon my 
young imagination ; and from the circumstance of my duty 
laying with those in the lowest stations, so here must I 
bring them forward, or else the materials for these chap- 
ters are but scanty. Besides, I take much pleasure in de- 
lineating the vagaries of one, in whom I at the time the 
events occurred, took much interest ; for his faults, if faults 
they were, lay at the surface, and with a little burnishing 
were faults no longer. His heart at all times was in the 
right place, and needed no promptings to do good, for he 
harboured animosity against none, and was alike willing to 
lend his aid to the one, that but a moment before had made 
him the laughing-stock of the circle, as to those who had 



FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 65 

taken his part, to ease him out with the hoax just put upon 
him. As the Fifer and I were closely and firmly attached 
to each other during our cruise and captivity, so here shall 
■we throughout the narration, be but occasionally separa- 
ted. As in the reality one was at a loss without the other, 
so in the narrative must we jog along in company together, 
hoping none may take offence at our intimacy. 

My fitting out was not of the right sort, although ample 
compared with many on board ; yet still I had many things 
of but little use, while I was deficient in more which I ab- 
solutely needed for both health and comfort; for instance, 
I took with me no boots, and as our low craft was always 
wet, my feet were never dry while on board of her ; and 
when I had exchanged my wet stockings for those that 
were dry, to the extent of the number I had, I was com- 
pelled to endure the comfortless wet ones, which caused 
my feet to swell so severely, that for two days I could not 
wear my shoes, and had to go on deck without them. I 
likewise felt the want of a pillow more than any one other 
article, liberty excepted, till my arrival in prison, when I 
provided myself with this, to me, great luxury. 



CHAP. V. 

FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

After exercising the crew, at their different stations, 
and securing the guns, on the fifth day from port, the 
third lieutenant, having the deck, a waspish fellow, one 
wHo gloried in showing his authority, and a martinet of the 
first water, ordered the foretopsail to be furled by the 
green hands. Forthwith came the shrill whistle, followed 
by the harsh grating voice, from the internal lower regions 
6* v. 1 



66 FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

of the boatswain's corporate body, as though the deeper 
the cell, from whence the discordant mandate came, and 
the louder it was belched forth, the more impressive would 
it be upon those to whom it was directed, ordering all the 
green hands aloft, for the purpose of gratifying the Avishes 
of our despot of the deck. 

There had been a considerable swell during the past 
night, setting from the south-east, in a contra direction from 
the wind, which came from the north in fitful blast, and at 
times blew with violence, a prognostic of an approaching 
gale. This swell of the ocean caused our low craft, with 
her heavy armament and heavier spars, to roll nearly 
gunwale under at every lurch. She pitched and jerked 
with the quickness and seeming contrariness of an adju- 
tant's untutored horse, when first brought in front of the 
line to receive a battalion fire ; so that our green hands 
had as full employment to keep their legs on deck, even 
with the occasional aid of a neighbouring rope or gun 
tackle, that lay within their grasping reach, as they need 
desire, without the fear of being taxed with idleness. 

Many of the green hands, from extreme weakness and 
debility, brought on by the horrid nausea of the previous 
four days, not the least relieved by the hard duty and 
unrelished fare, had scarcely strength and energy to stand 
upright. In their many attempts to balance themselves 
across the decks, their arms were swinging and grasping 
about in every direction, never suffering a chance to es- 
cape their eagerness for a clinch. They as often in their 
involuntary surgings, came in contact with the officer of 
the deck, as each other, and showed no more preference 
for him, than the pump, mast, or greasy cook, if he was 
advantageously located within the orbit of their whirling 
range or staggering propensities. Often, when seeing an 
object on which they could rely for support, and when 
sure of their mark, they would make a daring pitch 
towards it, and find themselves rolling in the lee-scuppers, 



FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. G7 

viewing the beauties of the firmament above, by the capri- 
cious movements of the deck under them, in one of the 
fancy lurches of the brig. 

Our Fifer was foremost in all such antics, for he had 
the worst sea legs of any other on board, and was exces- 
sively awkward in accommodating the motions of his body 
to the rolling of the brig. He at all times appropriated 
more of the deck to his use, than he was entitled to by 
by the station he held, by the indirect, zig-zag, crossing 
and recrossing path he made, when in search of an object 
he had in view. For whilst the body showed a sturdy 
determination to go ahead, the limbs were as pertina- 
ciously determined to hold back — now, he was balancing 
on one foot, while its mate was struggling to outnumber 
the circles cut in the air by the arm, till its fellow could 
measure the distance to the deck, which the eyes could 
not do, for the multiplicity of business on hand, to outdo 
the mouth in wide circular expansions, the mainspring of 
the whole, to keep the equilibrium correct throughout the 
man. He was so indescribably ludicrous in his slidings 
and bracings, that the reprimand was of necessity turned 
to a laugh before half uttered. 

To such the going aloft was any thing but pleasant, and 
in Fife's own words ' 'twas endangering life and limb 
unnecessarily, and should accident occur, I will take the 
law of the officer in charge, whenever he can be found on 
land ; for the ofFence is indictable as plain as the nose on 
Nimble Billy's face,' to whom the conversation was di- 
rected. The comparison was unfair, as it brought a gene- 
ral look at the nose, which had recently received an extra 
coating of smut unknown to its owner. J 

The brig was hove up in the wind, to steady her a 
little, and two good foremast hands led the way aloft, to 
take each his station at the extremities of the yard, with 
two others at the bunt, to assist the 'know-nothings' in the 
furling of the sail. There was no great alacrity of move- 



G3 FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

ment evinced, to rival each other in ascending the shrouds, 
and some even hung back, till a second time told to 'lay 
aloft, ye lubbers, lay aloft !' 

As I have before said, I was determined on entering 
the service, to show no disinclination to do whatever was 
required of me, be it ever so arduous. On this occasion, 
I followed closely in the wake of the experienced ones, 
yet doubting my ability to hold on in my then extreme 
weak state. When reaching the fettock-shrouds, I made 
demonstrations for crawling* through the lubber-hole, and 
was progressing with an earnest assurance of soon accom- 
plishing my object, till warned with a kick on the head, 
(which nearly toppled me back, with a less crawling gait, 
albeit more dangerous, than the one I had but so recently 
used in coming up.) from the captain of the top, who was 
there for general directions, to take the other and more 
regular track. To work round and gain which, I had to 
be quick, or let others precede me on the yard, which I 
was fully determined should not be done. 

In working up the fettock-shrouds, a much dreaded 
passage to all youngsters when first going to sea, the ves- 
sel seemed to roll and pitch even worse than before, and 
I would have entered into a contract, to carry with me 
through life, the lank, ill-shaped claws of the monkey, 
had I but their cling and tenacity for holding on, for 
these few minutes, to help me through with my present 
difficulties, in reaching the yard. I overheard the Fifer, 
who was close in my rear, soliloquizing, but could gather 
nothing further, than, 'I have and can again, climb the 
tallest chestnut in our town, which is full sixty feet with- 
out a limb — but then there was something to hold to. 
This ladder of ropes is the most silly contrivance I ever 
saw, and must have been invented by a numbskull, for 
the especial torment of such fools as I am, for coming 
here on this torn-fool's errand.' 

His musings aloud (for his talking could not be called 



FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 69 

more, so little did he suppose any overheard him) were 
cut short, by the captain of the foretop singing out for him 
to clap his finger where he left off, and finish his sermon 
when his watch was below ; and to bcar-a-hand and let 
the others come up who were at his stern. 

I ascended to the yard without difficulty, but could not 
lay out with that ease and security, I had done many 
times while in harbour, previous to sailing, for mere pas- 
time and amusement; for the yard was swaying to and 
fro through the air, at a most fearful rate, by the rolling of 
the dark billows far below ; whilst the wind, alone enough 
to sweep one in so weak a state from the yard, was fu- 
riously driving and flapping the loose sail about, as though 
each blast would tear it from the clewlines and strip it to 
ribbons. I managed by dint of adhesiveness, to get at 
my station at the extremity of the yard, time enough to 
see the movements of my followers in their perilous ad- 
venture ; and were my exertions to get at my station, as 
ludicrous as theirs, I have little reason to boast or be proud 
of inv first going aloft at sea. 

Some cautiously felt their way at the foot-rope, to see if 
all were solid, whilst others took their chance upon the 
yard, as being more substantial, throwing aside every 
choice of position, except that of bringing all their limbs 
into play, aping the bear both in movements and grace. 
As the yard began to be well filled, it was truly laughable 
to see the contortions of body, the twistings of limbs, the 
grimaces of countenance, and the grapplings of fear, 
which each lavishly displayed, in his endeavours to hold 
on ; and truly, nothing but the death grasp of man could 
be stronger. Now by the pitching forward of the brig, 
some would nearly lose their balance over the yard — 
kicking the foot-rope to the length of their legs behind, 
and came nigh dislodging those who w r ere disposed to do 
things in a more regular and becoming way. Again, on 
her bringing up, they would sway back their bodies, and 



70 FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

throw their feet forwards, almost capsizing those who 
were not prepared for such sudden and whimsical move- 
ments. 

Up to this time but little was done towards furling the 
topsail, although none had been idle, each having enough 
of his own affairs to attend to, without wasting time on the 
duty of the brig ; and we afforded too much amusement 
for those on deck, to have our motions quickened by 
threats and oaths, as usual on such occasions of bungling 
tardiness. We were trying, through the advice of the 
captain of the foretop, to depend more upon the foot-rope, 
but all could not bring their minds and limbs to act in uni- 
son, each supposing he had hit upon a plan of safety pe- 
culiarly adapted to his figure and strength ; but before ma- 
tured, his fickleness of mind had changed to another more 
suitable to his position, as he hung on the yard. There 
was such a shooting of the feet this way, sliding them the 
other, toeing it right and left, in and out, fore and aft — 
some trying to get a choice part of the rope to stand upon, 
while others were over-reaching their own premises, and 
appropriating for their use a portion of the territories be- 
longing to others, and all going through with such cross- 
ing and slidinsrs of the feet, that a hail was drawn from 
the deck : 

'Foretopsail yard, there!' 

'Aye, aye, sir!' answered the captain of the top. 

'Tell the young gentlemen if they wish to have a ska- 
ting match, to come on deck and tighten their skates. Ill 
risk a crown that the Filer takes the lead ; and if he has 
bottom equal to the suppleness of his legs, I will double 
the bet.' 

'Oh, its very easy joking at the difficulties of others,' 
said the Fifer, (for he was an inveterate talker, and had a 
word, however homely, for every one,) 'while down there 
at your ease ; but if you had to hold on here and work 
too, vou would find it any thing but play, darn your lazy 



FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 71 

pluck.' His talking ceased suddenly, by his missing his 
foot-hold, and coming down straddle across the rope he 
was so lately taking his steps upon. This brought another 
hail from below. 

'Ask the Fifer if he is going to take a ride, and whether 
he will have a pair of spurs sent him ?' 

'I will eat a pair of spurs without salt or gravy, if I cant' 
whip a round dozen, one at a time, like that noisy chap 
below, and not know what I have been about,' responded 
our slack-rope rider in an under tone, so as only to be 
heard by those on the yard: 'He is like an old bell- 
1 weather of ours, which would bleat and blare like all cre- 
ation, at any of the flock being caught in the brambles, 
without ever showing a willingness to help.' 

He was clambering up whilst the under-toned mutter- 
ings were going on, and soon gained his place on the yard 
again, for where he could get a grasp with his hand he 
was safe, so prodigious was his strength. To make all 
sure, he hugged the yard by clasping his arms around it, 
defying all the 'old Harries' in the kingdom of Satan to 
dislodge him, when a third hail came up. 

'Tell the gentleman with the yard in his arms, to be so 
good as to bring it on deck.' 

'I can carry it on deck, and with it thrash the liver out 
of you in five minutes, if you will but hold the vessel still 
as long ; but this jerking about in the clouds, is not the 
place for a man to show what he can do.' 

Whether the officer on deck heard the answer of the 
Fifer I do not know, but he made a motion to the man at 
the wheel, who understood his meaning, and let the ves- 
sel's head fall off so as to meet a heavy sea, which struck 
her full in the larboard bow, with such tremendous force, 
as to make her tremble in every part. I turned my head 
to see how the others fared with the shock, having myself 
been nearly thrown off by its severity and suddenness, 
when at the instant, the Fifer lost his hold the second 



72 FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

time, fell, and would never again been enabled to respond 
to the jokes of the crew, had he not in his rapid descent 
caught the foot-rope with his hand. A thrill of horror ran 
through all who saw him dangling high in the air, with 
but one hand hold of the rope ; but that hand was of no 
common make, for it possessed the grasp of a vice, and he, 
while the lookers-on held their breath through fear and 
suspense, coolly raised himself up, swung a leg over the 
rope, and sat as before when taunted as to the spurs. 

The lieutenant of the deck sung out so as to be dis- 
tinctly heard by all, 'Why, this beats all Berkshire.'^ 
The Fifer cast his look downward at the officer, and^ 
boldly said, 'When you can do that without turning pale 
or breathing short, you'll prove yourself a greater man 
than I now think you are.' The circumstance excused 
the offence, or the officer not seeming to hear, for no 
notice was taken of his words. The Fifer gained his 
former position upon the yard with ease, and I could not 
perceive the least trepidation in nerve or look. 

We got through with the duty, without farther mishap, 
except that an old blue jacket, who was next to Nimble 
Billv, in his hurry and anxiety to finish the work in ques- 
tion, passed the lashing firmly round the arm of that 
worthy personage, and made all fast to the yard, without 
its owner knowing it till piped down. When the lieu- 
tenant saw the fellow trying to free himself from his 
dilemma, the sail was ordered to be unfurled and again 
clewed up, with an admonition that such oversights would 
not be tolerated or passed over harmlessly when on duty. 

The second slip of the Fifer, sobered all on the yard, as 
well as those below, himself excepted, who appeared to 
be the only one unconcerned about it, by his chattering 
away with as much volubility as ever. It mattered but 
little to him who were the listeners, or whether any, talk 
he would. 

When descending, we had by orders from below, to 



FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 73 

pass and re-pass the 'pokerish place,' as Amos termed the 
fettock shrouds, several times, till we were rid of the 
squeamishness exhibited in the ascent. Glad was I for 
one, that it appeared less and less dangerous at each suc- 
cessive passage, till I nearly overcame all dread of it. 

This furling of the foretopsail long afforded amusement 
to the crew, by the bungling manner it was done by the 
'land-lubbers, who were more fit to man a pudding stick 
than a yard.' Weil can I recall, even to this distant day, 
my feelings and sensations when first laying out upon the 
yard, high over a boisterous and angry sea. 

While being exercised at our quarters, I with seven 
others, was placed in the long boat, which stood amid- 
ships of the deck, with muskets. This was the first inti- 
mation I had of being drafted into the marine corps. On 
the lieutenant learning that I had seen service in the 
militia, he ordered me to take the right of these other 
seven fire-eaters, with an intimation to them, I was their 
superior. Thus was I promoted in this early stage of the 
cruise, without the hazard or fatigue of earning it, by 
a previous endangering my person with a daring act 
against an enemy, as promotions are usually won in time 
of war. The honour was duly acknowledged by an extra 
straightening from the head downwards, with a severe 
military frown, fashioned from one of our third lieute- 
nant's most improved kind ; but which, I am sorry to say, 
was mistaken, by its being understood in disapprobation 
at my sudden elevation. And well it might, by any 
one better versed in military affairs than in my mean- 
ing scowl ; for on looking about the citadel so lately put 
under my command, none could be envious of my high 
distinction, for we were elevated far above the bulwarks 
of the brig, and stood the fairest mark for the aim of the 
enemy's sharpshooters, and were much more exposed 
than those at the guns on deck, or any others on board, 
with no possible chance of a retreat from our quarters, 
7 v.l 



74 FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

without our motions being seen by the whole deck's 
crew ; which, at times, is a greater stimulant in a hard 
fight, than any innate propensity of the afterwards lauded 
hero. However, I desponded not at my marineship, as 
it lasted no longer than when we should be in close 
action with the enemy, and beyond that, my duly lay 
with the blue jackets. 

The twenty-fifth of December, Christmas, I spent quite 
differently from any previous, being engaged the whole 
of the day in making and filling cartridges for the larger 
guns of our brig. The weather had become pleasant and 
warm, and I began to hope my sickness would pass 
away ; but as yet I had felt no relief, neither had my 
appetite in the least returned. 

The treatment of the men was harsh and uncalled for. 
We were overburthened with commissioned and petty 
officers, each striving to outdo the others in exercising 
his authority, or venting his over-loaded spleen upon his 
luckless inferior, and so on down to the merest boy on 
board. I do not say this on my own authority, as let the 
treatment and fare have been ever so bad, I should not 
have known but it was all right, nor that it differed from 
what was usual on ship-board, for 1 had never been to sea 
before to know of better. But there were others in the 
brig, who had spent the greatest portion of their days 
upon the ocean, many having been in the naval services 
of France, England and America, while others had seen 
service in every shape and form, and in every description 
of craft ; these uniformly declared the treatment here, 
both as to harshness, and scantiness of fare, exceeded all 
they had ever experienced. 

The crew had not yet been long enough at sea, to settle 
certain important questions ; among the most prominent of 
which, was, 'who shall be our Jonah ?' As there never 
yet was a vessel put to sea, without this praiseworthy and 
all-important personage being on board, or a representative 
of his worshipful self, so was the brig to have hers. The 



FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 75 

crew had been balancing between the doctor and purser's 
steward, with an occasional leaning towards the Fifer, 
since it was known he came off solely on a female's 
account ; a no small consideration to the advancing of one 
to the dignity of that high station, the ship's Jonah; espe- 
cially if it could be proven, that the female had been ill- 
treated. But no such proof appearing with our present 
candidate, the Fifer, his cbance was worth but little, of 
his ever being dubbed the Jonah of our good brig. 

Of the steward, not much was known, except that he, 
previous to coming on board, was a grocer, with a family 
larger than his business. The latter was left to the ma- 
nagement of the former, while the head of both family 
and business, could easily add a couple of thousand dol- 
lars capital to the little already in hand, by taking a short 
cruise in this redoubtable privateer, the prince of all pri- 
vateers, both as to racing and luck, as her former cruis- 
ings had told. 

Trje doctor's history was still more in obscurity, than 
his of the bread room. He came on board but just before 
sailing and dove into the cabin, where he remained, with 
the exception of once or twice coming on deck, till after 
our capture. No one in the brig knew aught of him, he 
being a total stranger to all, officers as well as men, and 
was indebted to his own lucky star, for his present berth, 
aided by his diploma and recommendations. It was gene- 
rally believed on board, that he had very little or no 
medical acquirements, and subsequent information has 
proved the belief to be well founded. 

After my return, 1 was made acquainted with the fol- 
lowing (hearsay) facts. He was boarding, as a stranger, 
at a house in Boston, where likewise lodged several stu- 
dents of medicine ; and was without the means of paying 
his board, when he made application for a situation in the 
brig. He was told all were filled, with the exception of 
that of surgeon. After inquiring the necessary qualilica- 



76 FIRST GOING ALOFT AT SEA. 

tions for the office, the next day he appeared with his 
diploma and recommendations from the college physi- 
cians of a southern medical institution, obtained the 
wished-for berth, and immediately repaired on board. 

It was afterwards ascertained that one of the student's 
trunks had been opened, and his diploma, together with 
many articles of usefulness to a needy candidate for sur- 
gical distinction, taken away. As the 'doctor' had left 
his trunk, as security for the sum he was owing the land- 
lady, which on being opened, proved of no value, the 
lost diploma was easily accounted for ; too late, however, 
to trace the flown bird, who was already beyond a recall. 
The recommendations might have been genuine, or of a 
piece with the diploma, a matter of little moment now, 
and one difficult to clear up at this distant day ; but most 
likely he w r ent to sea under an assumed name, without 
the knowledge of his relatives, if any he had, and they in 
all probability could not have heard of his career. He 
afterwards took the small-pox, while in the prisons at 
Dartmoor, and died, unregretted; for he was of a cold 
and taciturn temperament, disposed to associate with but 
few, and these without freedom or cordiality. Yet his 
exterior deportment was gentlemanly, and he possessed 
the marks of a well educated man. But, like the steward, 
in the language of the seamen, he was of 'wishy-washy' 
material, and was a 'white-livered lubber.' 

On such only had we to depend for succour and aid, in 
case of sickness or being maimed, in the perilous adven- 
ture on which we were bound. But thanks to an over- 
ruling Providence, the doctor's skill was wanted only to 
his own cure. 

I believe it was ultimately settled by a bare majority, 
to the title of 'doctor,' should be added that of 'Jonah.' 
The minority, however, held out long and heartily for 
him of bread dust and short weight notoriety, citing every 
imaginary evil that had befallen us, and laying all to his 



THE STORM. 77 

charge. It however did not go down with the majority, 
most of them knowing the very berth of steward to be 
obnoxious to sailors, let it be in the hands of ever so well 
disposed a person ; and they wished the Jonah of the brig 
to be, as of right he ought to be, the most unfortunate one 
on board, else in case of disasters, by disposing of him 
after the fashion of the great original, the desired effect 
could not be obtained. 

I hope, should these remarks ever meet the eye of our 
worthy steward, he will pardon the promulgating of his 
defeat, as the facts of history must be told, howsoever 
grating to the feelings of those they may cross in their 
onward course. I feel the bolder in supposing he will, 
when, apart from his defeat, which cannot be laid to any 
thing vicious in his conduct or disposition, but rather to 
the want of peculiar endowments, the electors averred 
were requisite for this distinctive office, others can bear 
witness besides the writer, that there were few on board 
more estimable in bearing and character than himself. 
But he was as disappointed in the enjoyment of his cruise, 
as he was unfit for cruising, and disliked the life of a 
sailor as much as others, who have oftener been brought 
before the reader for less worthy purposes. 



CHAP. VI. 

THE STORM. 



At the closing of the fifth day from port, the weather 
grew threatening and boisterous, and to all appearance, 
we were like to have an ugly night. To avoid the 
dangers of which, we were kept busily at work, securing 
the guns from the possibility of their breaking loose; 
7* v.l 



78 THE STORM. 

getting from aloft the lighter spars, and making them safe 
in the places allotted them when on deck, doubly lashing 
the boats, and doing whatever was thought necessary to 
make 'all snug,' against the approaching gale. 

Before my watch was relieved, the wind had rapidly 
increased, and lashed the sea about in a grand but fearful 
manner. Even after our watch were allowed to go below, 
the sale still continued to rise : and we were not lonsr 
left to our rest, before the shrill whistle and doleful cry of 
the boatswain, 'all hands, ahoy!' came like the foreboding 
of the disasters which were to follow, and involve in 
destruction the hopes of all on board. 

The dismal hail by night, of 'all hands on deck,' can 
only be fully understood, by those who have been in situa- 
tions to know its meaning, by experience. There is no 
other call so harrowing to the feelings of a ship's crew — 
none, in which the imagination runs into pending dangers 
so greatly, as this, except that of 'all hands to the pumps, 
ahoy!' or the cry of fire. Not that by this cry the crew 
are called from their short slumbers, after hours of weari- 
ness on deck, or that their disturbed rest is broken and 
intruded upon, by the required laborious and exposed 
duty when called, but because at first, they know not the 
reason of being called, or what disasters they are to en- 
counter in their night turn-out on deck, made doubly 
hideous by the obscurity of the surrounding darkness. 

As I was saying, our watch below was not long allowed 
to rest, ere we were called to assist in farther securing the 
yards and spars from the violence of the increasing gale. 
As fast as one portion of her rigging and spars were made 
fast, others showed symptoms of yielding, and required 
the united aid of the crew to their safet}-. By the time 
the top-gallantmasts were housed and the yards on deck, 
it was verging towards the rising of another day's sun, but 
with little indications of light, for the night throughout 
had been of pitchy darkness, which was continued late 



THE STORM. 79 

into the morning ; although there was a moon of some ten 
days old, yet it was so obscured by thick clouds and the 
surrounding mist, as not to afford a particle of light, to aid 
in making the lowering gloom less appalling. 

As the morning gradually broke, the view which the 
light gave us of the turbulent and contending elements 
was truly awful ; and to me, who had never before seen a 
storm at sea, grand, but frightfully grand, in the extreme. 
We were lying-to under the fore-and-aft foresail, and it 
seemed impossible that the brig could weather the fury of 
the gale, maintain her buoyancy in the angry, tumultuous, 
and impetuous waves, as they occasionally came sweep- 
ing across her deck, or live in the curling vortex and mad 
lashings they exhibited around her — appearing the more 
furious from the slight resistance her hull offered, by 
crossing their all-devouring whirlpool paths of destruction. 

The brig made such bad weather, as it was termed on 
board, that her head was directed before the wind, the 
only sail taken in, and she was suffered to be driven by 
its violence with the rapidity of a race-horse, and with 
nothing above deck save her masts and rigging, through 
which the winds whistled with an appalling fury, but little 
known to landsmen, or those unused to sea voyages. We 
were kept on deck most of the day, to be in readiness for 
any emergency or danger, which the fury of the gale 
might momentarily bring upon us. 

Here I had an opportunity of noticing the effects of the 
storm upon the different temperaments of our varied and 
motley crew. The experienced officers of worth and de- 
pendence, were easily told from those of neither nerve 
nor knowledge, even by me, the least acquainted of any 
on board. The former were still, cool, and dispassionate, 
but stern in their commands, uttering them with a sub- 
dued but distinct voice, allowing full time for the order to 
be executed before giving out another — rather trying to 
alleviate the work, than to make it the more burdensome 



80 THE STORM. 

by unnecessary labour; while the latter were fretting, 
swearing, and threatening, in the most boisterous and un- 
dignified manner, throwing out their orders without at first 
knowing whether right or wrong, countermanding them 
when half completed, and with angry gesticulations and 
threats, disconcerting and intimidating those, who otherwise 
would have had the confidence and abilities to execute the 
necessary service required ; expecting thus to hide their 
whims, caprice, and deficiences under the cover of bluster, 
anger, and oaths — ever giving the men trouble and vexa- 
tion, by the arduous and more than double duty, brought 
on by their inexperience, which was made ten-fold worse 
by the absence of coolness, want of arrangement, and not 
possessing the confidence of the men. 

The first lieutenant stood foremost in the estimation of 
all on board, and fully deserved the good esteem he had 
gained from the crew, by knowing the capacity of each of 
those under him, and putting no more to the performance 
of any one than he was able to get through with. Should 
but a tithe, however, of his command remain unfinished, 
at the expiration of the given period assigned for its com- 
pletion, woe be to the delinquent, for the task would be 
doubled, and the time lessened for its performance. 

Our third lieutenant (the second was nobody, alike 
incapable of doing or judging for himself in any thing 
pertaining to the duiy of the brig ; ) was among the blus- 
terers of the latter class. He had been a warrant officer 
in the United States' service, had taken part and assisted 
in more than one of those splendid victories now preserved 
in the archives of history, and it was said had performed 
his duty well. In reward for all of which, he was granted 
a furlough for six months, for the sake of giving him a 
chance of recruiting his finances, by a trip in our brig, the 
readiest and most sure way of becoming rich, the more 
especially when one was limited in time, as was our third 
from the captain in command. It was likewise said (oh, 



THE STORM. 81 

bane, thou art ever rustling where nestle the sweets,) 
that he had received his furlough from his former service 
in a much more unceremonious manner, and for a much 
longer period than six months. In plainer terms, it was 
currently reported, that for certain misdemeanors and un- 
officerlike conduct, he had been cashiered and discharged 
from the service, and he was more than glad to obtain a 
berth here, to be out of hearing of his disgrace. By his 
former experience, as well as bearing and appearance, 
much was expected of him ; but little did he accomplish, 
while with us, except to engender hate and ill-will, by 
his constant harshness, high oaths, and digusting swagger. 
He cared not how he endangered the men in his mani- 
fold freaks of ill temper, and was forever harrassing them 
when either aloft or on deck, by his bungling and contra- 
dictory orders, given without forethought or knowledge. 

With the men the above traits were still more easily to 
be traced. I have seen old seamen show a disposition to 
flinch from a duty of danger, when those who before were 
never at sea, would stand undaunted in any emergency, 
with a willinsr readiness to assist to the extent of their 

o 

abilities. A few instances will suffice to explain. 

One of the two old tars of my mess had spent the 
greatest portion of the thirty-five years he had lived, upon 
the ocean. While in port he was of a jolly, good-hearted 
disposition, able, ready and willing to execute any portion 
of the duty alow or aloft, that was assigned him. This 
man, by me, was much admired for his dexterity in climb- 
ing the rigging, knotting the ropes — splicing, reeving and 
stitching the sails and rigging with a facility and ease, I 
never expected to acquire, however closely I might apply 
myself to the business I had adopted. I was at times 
absolutely envious of his performances, when comparing 
my bungling with his adroitness, supposing him to be the 
ne plus ultra of a foremast hand ; and I had taken him 
as a copy by which to fashion my own hand to the use of 



82 THE STORM. 

ship-board duty, believing none other could come up to 
his exploits or abilities, and was more than willing to fol- 
low at a respectful distance, so renowned a scholar. At 
sea, however, he was a different person ; he would at the 
slightest opportunity, skulk below from his watch on 
deck, sham sickness, suffer every humiliating epithet to 
be heaped upon him, without a wince of disapprobation, 
leave others to do what belonged to his duty, and, in 
fact, was good for nothing, but to snore while in his ham- 
mock, and swill whiskey when out of it. This fellow 
during the gale, was only in the way of others; and had 
all on board been only of his worth, notwithstanding his 
experience, we should have escaped our future imprison- 
ment, albeit we might have been more uncomfortably pro- 
vided with quarters by the side of old Davy Jones ; for 
the vessel never could have rode out the gale, had there 
not been a portion of good seamen on board. 

As I before have said, many of the green hands, whose 
services were valuable and praiseworthy, compared with 
that rendered by some of the older seamen, were to be 
found at their posts, unintimtdated by the fierceness of 
the surrounding elements, and showed with undaunted 
firmness, examples worthy of being followed by those of 
longer experience. A slender pale-faced lad, who had 
never known other labour than that of standing behind 
the counter of a retail hardware store, proved himself of 
better metal than many who held posts of authority in 
the brig. At the order given for the furling or the shak- 
ing out a sail, he was the first aloft, doing his work in a 
manner that never needed patching or a second overhaul- 
ing, by a more experienced hand. His willingness to 
lend a hand, or alacrity of movements, was not through 
a desire to excel or outstrip his shipmates before the eyes 
of his superiors, for he disliked the life of a sailor, so 
recently by him undertaken, as much as many others, but 
because he felt it his doty, and knew it to be the easier 



Til's STORM. £3 

to proceed at once to his task, with a willing hand and a 
cheerful aspect, than wait to be forced forwards by a do- 
mineering swell and insulting threat. This was his first 
and last trip to sea, and he has since become a worthy 
and respectable merchant in the city of his birth. 

Another lad of eighteen, a playmate of mine when we 
were boys, turned out one of the most efficient hands 
among the crew. He was never backward or sullen, but 
on the contrary, always ready with his laughing joke, to 
join in any mirthful frolic, or with his clear head and 
steady hand to help where help was needed. This young 
man has since entered the navy, as a midshipman, where 
I have lost sight of him for some years, but I have no 
doubt from his early promise, he has proved himself an 
ornament to the profession of his choice. 

I have seen older heads dodge, when others did not 
move an eyelid, while, for the first time, looking at the 
cannon's mouth belching forth destruction upon the craft 
they were in, followed by cannister and grapeshot, which 
came rattling through the sails and rigging, and whistling 
about their heads with terrific fierceness. Foremost with 
the latter stood the Fifer, who exhibited not the least 
signs of fear at any time, or under any emergency 
wherein he was placed ; but on the contrary, was appa- 
rently as cool and collected as when at his own fireside. 

Perhaps I cannot better exemplify the disregard of the 
men's safety, by the third lieutenant, than by relating a 
circumstance that took place the morning after the gale 
had set in. 

I felt some little curiosity to see the first impression of 
the sight of the storm upon the Fifer. I say sight, for he 
had been on duty during the night, but the surrounding 
darkness was so great, one could only feel, and not see, 
the tumultuous raging of the ocean. I was purposely on 
deck a few minutes before him, after an unquiet rest of 
an hour below, and watched his motions narrowly as he 



84 THE STORM. 

came up, knowing he had never before seen, in any com- 
parison, such a sight as the convulsed and ragged waves, 
forced by the wind to the height of his native hills, pre- 
sented, and which was now spread before him. He stood 
with the aid of a belaying pin for some time, looking out 
upon the angry waters, as they rushed by with fearful 
rapidity, in alternate toppling ridges and engulfing chasms, 
and at last soliloquized, (he appeared not conscious any 
were listeners,) thus : 

'Well, I snore, a man would stand no more chance 
overboard here, than a blind kitten would in Uncle Ben's 
mill-race, with flood-gates and all open.' 

'Suppose you try it,' said the third lieutenant, who had 
overheard the remark, 'and as the wind with its whistling, 
is affording us music, your fife will not be wanted during 
its blow ; and should you keep up with the craft, we will 
take you on board when you become tired or the wind 
lulls — the swim will make a very sea-dog of you, if there 
be any virtue in salt water baptism.' 

'Why deacon, (he had a deacon, a 'squire, a colonel, or 
a captain, for every one) you don't suppose I'm such a 
gummy, as to jump over here ; why a man could not 
keep his head above the water long enough to say his 
prayers, even with a chestnut rail under him of twice his 
length.' 

The lieutenant's left corner of the mouth began to twitch 
and jerk downwards, working itself into the lowermost 
part of the face, in hitches and starts, like the lee goose- 
wing of the mainsail, with the whole after-guard bowsing 
on, a sure indication of wrath, at the Fifer's familiarity, 
when he pointed to the extremity of the jib-boom, at 
which was dangling the bite of a rope, and said, 

'Do you see that rope hanging yonder ? It's the 
deacon's pleasure to have you fetch it him.' 

The Fifer opened his eyes with astonishment, at the 
wantonness of the officer; and began with 'you don't 



THE STORM. S5 

mean to say,' but was stopped with a quick and menacing, 
'go, sirrah! and that at once,' uttered in a low but deep 
guttural tone, of emphatic meaning, accompanied with 
a look alone satanic. 

The Fifer coolly divested himself of his jacket, or 
rather the remains of his mutilated coat, and stepped 
boldly out upon the bowsprit, on his way to execute the 
tyrant's order, which was perilous in the extreme. We 
were scudding before the gale^, with nothing set, the brig 
lying at the mercy of the elements, and whose only safety 
was, in being kept before the wind, a position which 
caused her head to plunge deep into almost every sea, 
when struck by a larger than the one that preceded it ; 
and had she dipped under while the Fifer was making his 
slow passage out and in, it is needless to say, it would 
require a stronger grip than even he possessed, to keep 
good his hold, for no earthly power could have saved him 
from being swept away. 

Good fortune, however, befriended him ; for he gained 
the extremity of the jib-boom, and with his knife, severed 
the rope in two places, so as to leave nothing hanging — 
worked himself back, stood on deck in the presence of 
the lieutenant, with the rope in his hand, and asked 'if 
there was any other job of the like kind he wished to 
have done ?' But he had already done too much for the 
lieutenant's comfort; for the rope was a portion of the 
jib down-haul, that had worked loose, and would have to 
be replaced by a new one ; for the splicing it now in its 
present state, would not answer, as the officer must have 
known, by the vexatious manner he was biting his lip, at 
thus being foiled, and having the lost rope placed to his 
account. He said not a word, appearing to be deeply 
engaged with what he saw aloft; but up to the present 
time, it never has transpired whether any thing unusual 
was there; if so, it was only interesting to the officer in 
question, who would like to detract the idea from those 
8 v.l 



SO THE STORM. 

around him, that his intended fright to the Fifer, had re- 
coiled upon himself, inasmuch as he had been guilty of 
committing a blunder. 

'Here is a pretty apology for as goodly a coat, as any one 
need to have for ev'ry-day use, but three days ago, and 
now look at it,' said the Fifer, spreading the mutilated 
garment at arm's-length before him — 'it's not long enough 
to cover the kidneys, let alone, were I ever to have the 
tail of a monkey to hide ; I shall not be surprised if I 
have, after what has taken place wi'hin the last three 
weeks ; and when I look back, I only wish I had been 
monkey all over, till I came to my right senses and staid 
at home, instead of coming here among a set, that care as 
little for other people's appearance and feelings, as they do 
for their own, or the religion they know nothing of. It is 
my firm belief, things can't go on so much longer without 
a rumpus, if they do, I know one who has lost his spunk 
by going upon the water, always supposing I know any 
thing, or that I aint dreaming — gad-a-me ! if wishing 
made things aright, I would breakfast, dinner and supper 
on nothing else, till I was out of this scrape, if I would'nt 
may my christening do me no good, which is the worst 
oath I've ever sworn.' 

His coat, out of which came the aforesaid jacket, and 
the cause of the present soliloquy, prediction and oath, 
was of the common country homespun fabric of the inte- 
rior, from whither its owner hailed — fashionable once, no 
doubt at home, even for Sunday use, but quite the reverse 
in the present capacity of its wearer. 

The tailor had not stinted his cloth in the whole, but, 
on the contrary, had been most liberal, even to extra- 
vagance, with one part, while, to check his prodigality 
in this sinful waste, he had cabbaged from another to the 
extent of niggardly meanness. For instance, the skirts 
had the greatest share of the cloth originally intended for 
the coat; and had taken their starting place high up in 



THE STORM. 37 

the back, tapering off, till drawn nearly to a point, some- 
where in the region of the owner's heels. In his many 
gyrations about the rolling deck, they swept a circle of a 
fathom or more in each twirl of the 'double ringed-tailed- 
monkey,' as, not inaptly, dubbed by the lovers of mis- 
chief, who took the first opportunity to razee the coat, in 
a pure spirit of kindness, declaring the owner could never 
walk the deck like a sailor, with such an outlandish rig 
as this. 

In their anxiety 'to do the snug thing, so that there 
shall be no danger of its sprouting another tail,' (in their 
own lingo,) they took a half circling sweep with the 
knife, at a time when the owner was dealing out a few 
anathemas on a waggish fellow, who sung out from the 
rigging above, for him to catch the tar box, but either 
through the intention of the one, or the clumsiness of the 
other, he only caught the tar, whilst the box rolled on 
deck, severing the skirts with a large portion of the back, 
from the rest of the coat, leaving but little that was of 
use to its wearer, except the collar and sleeves ; with the 
opportunity, however, of his displaying to advantage, the 
red flannel backing of the waistcoat underneath, which 
loomed up like the moon in the first quarter through a 
hazy atmosphere. 

If the Fifer was angry at the recent coating of tar he 
had received, and which was so liberally bespattered upon 
his goodly person, one may well imagine his wrath at the 
uncoating of his brawny back and haunches. He dared 
the perpetrator to show himself, and be he whomsoever 
he may, he would take the w r orth of the coat out of his 
'danvd, etarnal hide ; and however he might think he 
had the bull by the t^il, I will show him he has the bull 
by the horns, in less time than it takes a squirrel to shut 
his eye when shot by a rifle bullet — at arms-length, back- 
hug, half-buttock, or side-fling, I can throw the stoutest 
man in Berkshire, and the least in the county can whip 
the best of this devil-be-set, hang-dog crew.' 



gS THE STORM. 

'Cock-a-doodle doo! the Fifer s in a stew! pops and 
pinks for two !' 

'Mutiny, mutiny ! he threatens all hands !' 
'Call the corporal of the guard and ruffle his wrists, 
before others can join him.' 

'Yes, he's the ringleader — make all sure with him — no 
danger of the others.' 

'If you want to show your strength,' as soon as the 
Fifer could find room to wedge in a word, 'joke or in 
earnest, I'm your man — once get up my ebenezer, some 
of you will call out 'enough,' or I'll swallow what's left of 
the coat, for my share of the dinner, and come off better 
than since I have fed here, where is a pound of salt for 
every half pound of beef, without its being sweet at that.' 

'I'll bet two to one, the Fifer' s jaw-tackle is longer than 
his coat-tail is at present.' 

'Toggle his tongue with a paint brush, and his beauties 
will shine in livelier colours.' 

'You're all a pack of fools, every one of ye — you know 
as little how to treat a stranger, as you do the difference 
between the first book of Moses and Thomas' almanac' 

'Stand by for the Fifer's sermon.' 

'Why did'nt you ship for a parson?' 

'Why did'nt you learn some manners while studying 
your deviltries, you half-licked cub of some tar barrel's 
premature spawning.' 

'The Fifer will do yet, for he is beginning to swear, and 
will soon get the hang of an oath, if he improves in his 
studies as he has latterly, when he shall be regularly 
installed, by riding a boat-hook about the deck.' 

Such jeers as these, were the only satisfaction Amos 
received for the loss of his coat-t^l. 

I will mention but one other instance of placing the 
men in jeopardy. This, however, was not in the mere 
wantonness of indulging a depraved feeling, but for the 
sake of showing to the whole crew, as well as to those 



THE STORM. 89 

who were disposed to screen themselves from their regu- 
lar duties, that discipline must be maintained, and that the 
duty of none should be lessened to be borne by others. 

The delinquent in question had come on board but just 
before sailing, and had seen no service while in port, or 
else I am certain he never would have continued in the 
brio-. He was in business with an elder brother, and as 
partners, carried on the cabinet making. They had full 
employment, and with continued attention to business, 
might have become wealthy ; but in an evil hour, the 
mania for prize money took its hold of the junior partner, 
and nothing would do but a trip to sea, and a tumbling of 
the money boxes of Johnny Bull, assigning, like many 
others, (one of whom was a near connexion of mine, and 
in close proximity to me during my sojourn abroad,) 'that 
a short trip to sea could hurt no one, and by spring at 
farthest, we shall be back, when, should we not like the 
life of a sailor, we can but return to our former occupa- 
tion, with renewed energies for the little brushings up 
we may get, by the varied employments while upon the 
ocean.' 

The man under consideration had ever been a great 
beau, and much noticed for the neatness and extravagance 
of his dress, always appearing with the newest fashions, 
and a great patronizer of the Newmans, Kuhns, and Kim- 
balls of the day, who could in no other way so well 
exhibit the niceties of their arts and handicrafts, as on 
his graceful and handsome person, the envy of many a 
fop, who was less gifted by nature with a form unexcep- 
tionable, and an insinuating capacity for wheedling mer- 
chant tailors and hackney coachmen out of such comforts 
as by them desired. 

Our friend thought it somewhat hard, and encroaching 

upon the independence of a republican of his stamp, to 

be compelled to stand watch or do duty as others did, 

desiring rather to take his ease below — never missing an 

8* v.l 



90 THE STORM. 

opportunity to skulk, night or day. Were he roused up 
with no ceremonious care of the boatswain's rough han- 
dling, he shrunk away with the first inattention of this 
'whipper-up' tormentor of watch-calling. This he had 
persisted in, notwithstanding the admonition he received 
to 'sin no more,' till his conduct became so great an 
offence, that the first lieutenant was made acquainted 
with his doings, when acting as officer of the deck, during 
the worst night of the storm I have been relating at the 
beginning of this chapter. 

At the calling of the watch, the man of grace came on 
deck, and was left to pursue his own musings, as best 
suited his liking, till the watch had about half expired, 
when the lieutenant desired some one to pass the word for 
'take comfort,' as he was wanting. The word was passed 
and re-passed to and fro through the vessel, to very little 
respect as to his hearing it ; for he w r as snugly stowed in 
his hammock, sleeping at much the same rate we had 
lately been scudding — ten knots per hour. At last he 
was found and disturbed from his slumbers, by the aid of 
the mutton fists of the boatswain, wielded none the lighter 
by their oft repeated pummelling the same carcass, for the 
like offence ; he came on deck, and went aft, to see what 
could be the cause of this second nocturnal turn-out in 
the same watch. The lieutenant, with as much mildness 
and suavity of manner, as he would have displayed to a 
ball-room belle, when asking her to join the dance, po- 
litely requested the foppish young man to go aloft to the 
head of the mainmast, and keep a sharp look-out for land; 
with a hint, if he were caught sitting while there, some 
other employment should be provided for him, (if less 
suitable to his wishes, it would be more lively to his feel- 
ings,) for shunning hie duty and disobeying orders. 

I really think there was not one on board, who would 
not have done any thing to alleviate this fellow's punish- 
ment, except taking his place at the mast-head. The night 



THE STORM. 91 

was pitchy dark, the sea rolling mountains high, and the 
brig now hovc-to under her storm-staysail only, and barely 
able to keep that to the wind, close reefed as it was. As 
I have already said, the vessel was hermaphrodite rigged, 
her mainmast towering high in one piece, with no top as 
when square rigged, the cross-trees being the first landing 
place when ascending from the deck ; on this was the poor 
fellow compelled to stand for two hours, with no outside 
guard to check him should he lose his hold, by the velocity 
of the mast, in its swaying to and fro in each roll of the 
brig. As the top-gallantmast was housed, and the shrouds 
and stays necessary for its support were secured, he had 
nothing to cling to, except the head of the spar, which ex- 
tended in its housed state but a little above the mainmast. 
For one, I had not a moment's rest from the time he left 
the deck till his return ; each minute expecting to see his 
body dashed to atoms on the deck, or hear the splash of 
its fall overboard. 

At the expiration of some time, a foremast hand was sent 
up to learn how he was getting on ; it being too dark to see 
half the height of the mast from the deck. On his coming 
down, in answer to the officer's inquiries, he said 'there is 
no danger of the thing, for he has veneered himself so 
firmly around the mast, that it will take a harder blow 
than the present to unglue him ; and it is fully my opinion 
when they are separated, the mast will be weakened by 
the slabs and splinters it will be bereft of, by the booby 
sticking so close.' Some averred the next day, that he 
had left his nails deeply imbedded in the mast, and that it 
would have to undergo a regular scraping before again fit 
for use. 

Our Adonis never required a second calling to be 
brought on deck, the experiment entirely curing him of 
his propensity to nap, while his neat person was required 
elsewhere in the brig. His mast-heading not only taught 
him a lesson to obev orders, but it also gained him no little 



92 THE STORM. 

notoriety in the brig for his coolness in ascending aloft, 
and determination of staying till sent for to come down. 
as no hailing would he answer to while thereat, although 
thundered through the trumpet by the bellowing voice of 
our third lieutenant, who prided himself in possessing the 
greatest strength of lungs of any on board. Had he an- 
swered the hail, his time of punishment would have been 
shortened; but the fellow proved himself of metal far 
superior to the expectations of him, who sent him to his 
dangerous and uncomfortable perch. 

The gale continued with unabated fury, and with very 
little hopes of its abatement. My sickness, likewise, still 
continued with its weakening effect upon me, and no re- 
turn of appetite ; this, together with a nervous headache, 
to which I had long been subject, and now r made worse by 
the want of nourishing food and rest, without mentioning 
the unabating swelling and lameness of my foot, not yet 
permitting me to wear my shoe, made me more fit for 
hospital duty than that in which I was engaged ; but I 
was determined to tough it out to the last without a mur- 
mur, hoping to overcome all the obstacles and hardships 
which fell to my lot, and yet have it to say, the life I had 
chosen had its sweets as well as its bitters. But so far, I 
was reluctantly compelled to acknowledge, (to self only) 
that the latter ingredient predominated to the degree, that 
the potion was any thing but palatable, and administered 
in doses so profuse and oft repeated, that the drenching 
effect was barely counterbalanced by my fiery zeal for the 
service I had chosen, even when backed by that never- 
yielding spunk, with which a boy of eighteen is always 
surcharged, especially when rashly undertaking a species 
of business, without listening to any advice, save that best 
of all monitors — his own strong-headed disposition. 



93 
CHAP. VII. 

THE CHASE. 

Throughout the night of the seventh day from port, 
we had but little rest, the vessel requiring all the aid the 
crew were enabled to render her. The one watch was 
kept on deck in readiness to lend assistance, whilst the 
other went below, without knowing what moment they 
might be called, or when help would most be needed. 
The sea broke across the deck at times, with terrific vio- 
lence. One came curling over our larboard quarter, and 
after carrying away the bulwark, over which it mounted 
with its avalanche of waters, swept every thing of a light 
nature in its course — blocks, buckets, water casks, and cor- 
dage was cleared from the deck in its rush, and so dama- 
ging the long-boat and straining her lashings, it was feared 
at the next sweep, that would likewise be carried over- 
board. 

The morning of the 2Sth December broke, with no 
prospect of the gale ceasing, and the brig looked more 
like a wreck, than the staunch and proud craft of the 
week previous. She was stripped to her stumps, all her 
yards except her fore and foretopsail, were on deck, her 
rigging in disorder, and the decks lumbered and in confu- 

DO O ' 

sion from the effects of the seas, which had so often 
broken over them during the past night. 

The third lieutenant had been the officer of the watch, 
from four o'clock in the morning, till eight, and was rather 
harshly spoken to by the first, who succeeded him, for not 
keeping things in better trim. One, among the other 
questions put to the officer whose watch had just expired, 
was, whether he had kept a good look out aloft ; to which 
he replied, he had, but that the last man he had sent to 
the mast-head, had left his post without being relieved, 



94 THE CHASE. 

and, till some time after the other watch was called, 
without his knowledge. 

I saw the fire, or what was its equal, anger, flash from 
the first lieutenant's eyes at this remissness of duty ; and 
he instantly save an order for the best man on board to go 
to the mast-head, there to remain till ordered down. The 
order was obeyed by one of the quarter-masters, who had 
not been there ten minutes before he sang out, 

'Sail ho ! — on the weather quarter.' But he could dis- 
cern nothing except her upper sails, on account of the 
heavy mist and rain, which obscured the lower view, as it 
likewise did that of the sail he first saw, by the time he 
could make out her bearings from the brig. 

All hands were now called to make sail, and the men 
went cheerily to their work, with that animating spirit, a 
prize in sight always infuses into a crew ; many bantering 
their messmates to club for the prize money, or to draw 
lots which should have the other's, when again from the 
mast-head came — 

'Sail ho!' 

'Where away?' 

'A little farther a-beam than the first.' 

But as the quarter-master aloft, could only see the one, 
and make nothing out of her, except 'she has top-gallant- 
sails set, and apparently on tall masts,' it was thought the 
look-out must have mistaken the bearings of the first sail 
he discovered, while she was obscured in the mist, and on 
her re-appearance, he had announced her as a second 
vessel. None felt the least alarm, at the supposition that 
two sails were in sight ; yet all bestirred themselves to get 
the spars aloft, and other sails bent in the places of those 
damaged dining the gale, to be in readiness to give chase 
to the prize to windward, which many accounted to be 
'nothing less than an Indiaman, if Old Snaggletooth aloft 
has reported aright about her top-gallantsails, for none but 
an Indiaman or a man-of-war would carry her upper sails 



THE CHASE. 95 

with this gale and thick weather; and she must be a stiff 
craft at that; or be in a hurry to get out of this latitude of 
blustering gales, angry cross-seas, hard rains, and mists, 
that will stop a leak when oakum is scarce.' 

The first lieutenant, when hearing the second sail 
announced, pondered a moment, muttering to himself 
'top-gallantsails — top-gallantsails set!' — seized the glass, 
and was proceeding up the rigging, to ascertain for him- 
self the character of the sail in sight ; but before he had 
reached a dozen rattlings of the shrouds, the quarter- 
master bellowed out a third time his 'sail ho!' with re- 
newed strength of voice, accompanied with, 

'The mist has settled, so that I can plainly see the 
three — all to the windward, bearing down towards us, 
with as much sail set as each can carry, and evidently 
men-of-war, by the tauntness of their rig, and high tower- 
ing masts." 

The lieutenant was on deck issuing his orders, long 
before the quarter-master had finished the unwelcome 
intelligence, that three frigates of the enemy were in 
sight. 

We had been discovered, as it afterwards appeared, by 
the enemy, time enough for them to get sail on, before 
we espied them, altogether through the carelessness of the 
officer of the previous watch, by his not keeping a proper 
look-out from the mast-head. For this misconduct and 
remissness of duty, he was disfranchised instanter, from 
farther command as an officer in the brig. 

Our situation was perilous in the extreme, even to the 
most inexperienced hand on board; for up to this time we 
had nothing set, except a double reefed foresail, fore-and- 
aft-mainsail, and jib, both likewise closely reefed, con- 
suming about twenty minutes in setting these and getting 
the brig before the wind ; the whilst the enemy were 
coming down with as much canvass as their heavy ships 
could stagger under, and at a distance the most near- 



96 THE CHASE. 

sighted on board could view them, without the aid of the 
<dass : and with a velocity that was any thing but pleasant, 
for those who wished either welfare to the brig or safety 
to themselves. 

If I thought before, that our craft was barely able to 
stand under the little sail kept on her for the last two 
days, it only went to prove my incapacity to judge in 
these matters ; for sail upon sail was set, in an inconceiv- 
able short space of time, till she careened and plunged, as 
though each plunge would be her last. When her spars 
were all in their proper places, she was put on the wind, 
hauling it as closely as possible, the enemy at the same 
time changing their position to correspond with ours. 
The fog and mist cleared away occasionally, affording us 
a full view of them, about three and a half miles dis- 
tant, at the time of our tacking. 

We had but two chances of escape in our favour ; the 
one was, that the fo°; and mist might thicken, hiding our 
position from the frigates in chase ; and the other, that, 
as we could haul closer upon the wind than the enemy, we 
might ultimately gain to the Avindward of them, relying 
afterwards upon the superior sailing of the brig for her 
safety, should the wind in the least lessen. In the former, 
we were early disappointed, for the fog cleared away ra- 
pidly, leaving a fair sight of the three frigates, before the 
chase had been continued an hour; and the latter hope 
was but poor comfort, as the wind had freshened, compel- 
ling us to take in some of our lighter sails aloft, while the 
frigates could still hold on with theirs, by their great 
strength and heavy dimensions. It was evident, likewise, 
that in gaining to their windward (which we were doing, 
and only prevented by their proximity when first hauling 
upon the wind) we should necessarily draw so near as to 
receive the fire from one of the frigates at least, if not from 
two, and at too short a distance to be other than extremely 
hazardous. This position was continued till near ten 



THE CHASE. 97 

o'clock, when we put before the wind again, as in the 
beginning of the chase ; the enemy likewise changing 
theirs, so as to follow directly in the wake of the brig. 

The situation of the enemy's vessels in this stage of the 
chase was picturesque in the extreme, affording us a beau- 
tiful view of the whole of them, and at a distance where 
their movements could easily be discerned. The Acasta 
was dead astern, less than two miles distant, the Leander on 
her larboard, and the New-Castle on her starboard bows 
each at equidistant points from the centre frigate, and 
somewhat ahead of her — all three under as great a stress 
of sail as could be piled on, in such a gale and with such a 
sea as they were wallowing through. 

It was plairly to be seen, that the frigates were gaining 
on us, in spite of our every exertion to facilitate the brig's 
sailing ; the Leander and New-Castle more rapidly than 
the Acasta ; for while our comparative light craft was 
rising upon the top of every wave, and pitching deep into 
the trough between them, the heavy frigates, with their 
enormous spread of canvass, plunged through all, slowly 
but constantly gaining on us at each moment. 

The men were kept at the harrassing duty of making or 
lessening sail, changing and shifting the ballast, from the 
besinninsT to the termination of the chase. No sooner did 
the wind in the least lull, than an additional sail was added 
to the already overburthened masts, (only to be taken in at 
the first freshening of the gale,) thus keeping her strained 
to the utmost extension of her strength, and at times nearly 
running her head under. Had the gale been such as to 
allow of our lightening the brig, her guns would have been 
cast overboard long before this ; but we were more safe 
with them on deck than without them, although of no 
farther use than their weight to steady the brig, as the tier 
to leeward were most of the time under water, while those 
to windward could only be pointed to the clouds, by the 
laving over of the brig in this fury of the elements. 
9 v.l 



98 THE CHASE. 

The frigates had occasionally been giving us a shot from 
soon after our putting before the wind ; none of which 
reached the brig, however, till abouUwelve o'clock, when 
the commodore's ship, Leander, by the position she held, 
brought a gun to bear upon us, and threw her shot beyond. 
We immediately hauled upon the wind a second time, 
with the determination of working to the windward of the 
squadron at all hazard, it being now our last and only 
hope of escaping from their fangs. It appeared impossible 
that the brig could maintain her upright position, with 
such a sea and gale as she had to contend with. Her ca- 
reening made it difficult, even for the most experienced 
hands, to keep the deck. 

The hopes of the crew had brightened since twelve 
o'clock, by the clouds breaking away, with an indication 
of the wind abating, and which it had at times, only to 
blow the fiercer, however, in fitful blasts after each delu- 
sive lull. The men were still kept at their stations, in 
readiness the moment the wind lessened to clap on more 
sail, or to take in that which proved too heavy at each in- 
creased blast of the tempest. But before two o'clock the 
wind had visibly heightened, bringing the frigates closer, 
and enabling them to reach us with ease, not only with 
their round shot, but likewise grape and cannister, at each 
discharge of their heavy cannon, at intervals of from three 
to five minutes, came scattering through our rigging, with 
a hissing and whistling, that was plainly heard above the 
blast of the gale. 

Through the great and unceasing exertions of the men, 
their exhaustion became apparent — having been allowed 
nothing either to eat or to drink, since the day previous : 
and as hope became hopeless, they did not evince that 
alacrity of movement, which they had displayed during the 
previous portion of the day, when there was a probability 
of escaping. The frigates in chase were, by two o'clock, in 
a position to sink us at their will ; for one was on our lar- 



THE CHASE. 99 

board quarter, another on our starboard waist, whilst the 
third was at our stern, a little further off, yet sufficiently 
near, to reach us with her round shot. 

The clouds had been thinning, till tliey rapidly passed 
away in sheets of fleecy vapour, leaving the hard blue sky 
alone above, when the sun shone through a transparent 
atmosphere, with an unusual brightness, enlivening the 
scene to the height of romantic beauty — its enchanting 
brilliancy only equalled by its fearful grandeur. Spread 
around were the convulsed waters, whose gigantic throes 
and sublime movements turned fear to astonishment ; 
scattered at different points, were those well trimmed fri- 
gates, looming upon the horizon, with their prows directed 
to a common centre, where our brig, with her heavy 
crowd of canvass and bending masts, braved the. danger 
of being engulfed, rather than yield to a pursuing foe, 
however superior the force, or hopeless the chance of 
escape. The whole combined produced a scene beyond 
description ; and to one like myself, who had never before 
seen any thing of the kind, all looked like an enlarged 
view of some theatrical representation — nay, my half be- 
wildered and dreamy mind strove hard to make it so, 
rather than to believe it the sad reality spread before me, 
so oreat had been the chansre of events of the last two 
weeks. 

The frigates were of the largest class, in full rig and 
equipment, and so near, that the movements of their men 
were plainly seen by us, while going through with their 
various duties and evolutions, or when training any parti- 
cular gun to bear upon the brig. Every rope was strained 
to the tension and appearance of drawn wire, as relieved 
by the clear blue sky beyond ; their many white sails 
were bellying out by the force of the wind, one overtop- 
ing the other, tapering in size, to the dizzy heights of 
their royal-masts. They were proudly but furiously dash- 
in? through the heavy and tumultuous seas, occasionally 



100 THE CHASE. 

plunging nearly bowsprit under, but to shoot upwards and 
mount the next, with the buoyancy, grace and ease of 
boats of pleasure. Whilst these huge leviathans were 
apparently leaping from ridge to ridge of the heaped up 
waters, or wallowing with a struggling effort to be freed 
from their chasmed gulfs, the white capped waves were 
continually heaving up and around them, seemingly mad 
at being thus checked in their onward rushings — throwing 
the spray, made sparkling (amid the glimpse of a rainbow,) 
by the sun's slanting rays, to the height of the yards, 
showering the decks, to the discomfort of their numerous 
crews, who like ourselves were becoming wearied with 
this arduous chase. Their shot came skipping from the 
curling and frothy topped waves, marking their course to 
a great distance beyond, by the jets of spray sent slant- 
ingly up on either side, leaving a path in their rear, 
as distinct, as was their fierce whistle in passing our 
craft; and only lost to view, when plunging into some 
upbreasted wave, larger than the one preceding it. And 
our poor brig was incessantly toiling, without the possi- 
bility of escape, striving with her laborious plungings 
through the angry and tempestuous billows, not unlike the 
tired but willing steed, when taxed till his life-breath is 
passing away with the lengthened race, which is to end 
with his life, together. 

At half past three, p. m. all hope was given up of our 
escape, and anxious glances were turning towards the 
captain, who, from the commencement of the chase had 
taken his station on the trunk, walking back and forth, 
with a hurried and cmick pace, giving his orders in a low 
tone to his first lieutenant, to be transmitted through him 
to the different stations. For some time, all were anx- 
iously expecting each moment he would surrender — not 
only the crew, but some of the officers were heard mut- 
tering at the foolhardiness of holding out longer, without 
the least hope of escaping, but with the certainty of 



THE CHASE- 101 

drawing the leeward frigate's broadside upon us ere long, 
the effect of which must be fatal to all on board ; for no 
relief could be expected from the enemy, should the brig 
be crippled by their shot, so as to be in a sinking condi- 
tion, however humane their intentions, with the weather 
and sea so boisterous as the present. 

The order was again given for the twentieth time, to 
lay aloft, and loose the foretop-gallantsail, which had been 
furled but a few moments before, to prevent its being 
blown from the yard, by the increased violence of the 
wind. To facilitate the order, the men not moving with 
the same alacrity as during the day, a red whiskered dimi- 
nutive spitfire, who held post as prize master, seized a 
rope's end, the first specimen of corporeal coercion to 
duty, since sailing, and began to lay about him with an 
earnestness of purpose, but little suited to the present dis- 
position of the crew, till stopped short by one who had 
seen better days. This man had been master of his own 
vessel out of Salem, had been unfortunate by losing his 
all soon after war was declared, and he knew no other 
mode of obtaining a living except this, of going to sea. 
The man that had been twenty years commander, now 
stood a common sailor, under the upraised hand of this 
despicable one of authority, who was not worthy to loose 
the other's shoe latchets, in the way of knowing or doing 
his duty. The rope's end fell not where it was intended, 
for the former captain, when he saw the hand raised for 
the blow, with a firm look and a deep-meaning voice, 
said, 'hold,' pointing with his finger at the nearest frigate 
to leeward, 'in half an hour we shall be upon an equality, 
either as prisoners there, or drawn down with the whirl- 
pool of our sunken brig.' Like an abashed school-boy, 
from the reprimand of his teacher, turned the pigmy, 
shrinking from the man of years and experience. 

A messmate of mine went aloft to loose the sail re- 
quired, cut the lashing to save time, in his anxiety to 
9* v.l 



102 THE CHASE. 

get below, and sang out, holding the end of the cut gasket 
in his hands : 

'All ready to let go!' 

'Hold on till the wind slackens.'' was the answer he 
received. He obeyed, but with evident uneasiness, by 
the furtive glances he was casting towards the frigate, and 
the nicety he was measuring the distance between him 
and the deck below ; as though the former would prevent 
the coming grist of langrage, by its eagerness, or the latter 
could ease the expected fall, by its accuracy. The first 
shower of grape that came whistling about the region he 
was in, caused him to let go the sail before those below 
could sheet if home, and make his way to the deck with 
all the haste the fear of the moment inspired him. When 
within ten or twelve feet of the landing, a round shot cut 
the shroud in two, within twenty inches below his foot, on 
which he was holding in his descent. He gave himself a 
sudden swing inside, and came down prostrate on deck, 
with the supposition of those who saw him fall, that he 
was dead. My messmate did not know whether he was 
hurt or not, till gathering himself up, when he found the 
greatest pains to proceed from his too rapid a descent from 
a twelve-foot leap, and the unceremonious thrashing he 
gave the deck with his body's length. He had the con- 
solation of knowing, however, that his labours at the top- 
gallant-yard were ended for the present, as the wind had 
stripped the sail to ribbons, long before he reached the 
deck, notwithstanding the speed with which he had tra- 
velled. 

Here I may as well finish the remarks began in a 
former chapter, in the comparison of the green hands 
with the older seamen. In the former I saw many of as 
undaunted spirits as in the latter ; and they showed as 
much willingness to exposure and severe duty durin^ the 
chase, as those who were accustomed to such for a live- 
lihood, from their youth upwards. 



THE CHASE. 103 

Up to four o'clock, p. M., the firing had been more like 
target shooting than a serious matter of the enemy; it 
being evidently their wish to get possession of the brig, 
with as little damage to her as possible ; and, therefore, 
they had confined the range of their shot, so as to cripple 
her sailing, rather than to destroy the hull. Yet so far the 
enemy had succeeded but poorly in their aim ; for we had 
lost nothing of importance in our spars or rigging, neither 
had we a man hurt on board, which was the more remark- 
able, as within the captain's height, and the range of his 
walk on the trunk of the quarter deck, were more than 
forty shot holes in the mainsail, of both grape and round. 
In all probability shot had crossed the brig, in the same 
proportion, throughout her length. Had the enemy's in- 
tentions been different from what I have suggested, it was 
within the power of either of the three frigates to sink us 
with their broadsides, at any time during the last two 
hours, by the position each held. 

Now, however, it was manifest their tempers could not 
longer be trifled with, by dallying after a cock-boat pica- 
roon, in comparison to their proud frigates ; for they were 
making preparations for the much dreaded broadside, as 
could plainly be seen from the deck of our ill-fated craft, 
by every one who had the curiosity to keep in view such 
interesting events. We were so near the New-Castle, the 
leeward frigate, as to see the men distinctly taking the 
tampions from the muzzles of the guns, run them out, and 
elevate or depress them to their liking: whilst the idlers 
were climbing the rigging, or listlessly lying over the 
hammock-cloths, to see the effect of their shot from the 
intended broadside, now in readiness to belch forth upon 
the unfortunate brig, which was labouring her last few mo- 
ments, still obedient to the will of those in command, and 
as diligently as she had through the whole of this long, 
arduous and disheartening chase. 

The short time while the frigate's preparations for the 



104 THE CAPTURE. 

broadside were making, was one of inconceivable anxiety, 
dread, and suspense, which was suddenly relieved by our 
rounding to, firing a gun to leeward, the only discharge 
during the day, and the signal of our surrender. The 
brig carried no colours, nor showed any emblem of the 
country she hailed from, throughout the chase. 



CHAP. VIII. 

THE CAPTURE. 



Now commenced a scene, which to me, a novice in 
such matters, seemed strange, and was entirely beyond 
my comprehension. Some turned to with their knives, 
and began cutting the running rigging and such sails as 
were on deck, whilst others as zealously cast overboard 
every thing within their reach — shot, muskets, pistols, and 
boarding-pikes followed each other in quick succession, as 
well as cordage, spars, oars, and such provision casks as 
were near by and easy to handle, till the deck was nearly 
cleared of every thing moveable upon it. This devasta- 
tion was not only carried on and indulged in by the men, 
but, the more to my astonishment, the officers first led the 
way with their charts, side-arms, nautical instruments, and 
whatever else they wished not to fall into the hands of 
the enemv. Ample time had they for this, as the sea 
was so rough, none supposed the frigates would attempt 
to take possession of us, till the wind fell and the surface 
became somewhat smoother. 

To show how valuable the lost time was to us, of our 
not discovering the frigates earlier, we had not rounded-to 
one minute, not long enough for either of the frigates to 
heave up in the wind, when the one to leeward lost her 



THE CAPTURE. 105 

jib-boom, fore, and maintop-gallantmasts, and broke her 
mizzen-topsail-yard in the slings. The other to the wind- 
ward carried away her mizzen-topsail, maintop-gallant- 
yard, and strained her fore-topsail-yard, so as to endanger 
it by carrying sail. If we had had but half the start of 
the twenty minutes lost in the morning, we should, by 
these mishaps, have been out of their reach. Besides, in 
less than a quarter of an hour the wind lessened, and con- 
tinued to abate till ten o'clock, when it was no more than 
a stiff wholesail breeze, the very one wanted for the brig ; 
for with such, she could outsail any vessel in the British 
navy. All, now, however, was of no use to us, as we lay 
encircled by three of the best frigates old England could 
boast of, within the distance of half point-blank range of 
their heavy guns ; and before we could have sheeted 
down the foresail and filled away, we should have been 
saluted with a full broadside from each. 

A boat put off from the commodore's ship, shortly after 
we hove-to, to take charge of the prize during the night, 
but did not reach us for three quarters of an hour or more, 
so greatly was her progress retarded by the roughness of 
the sea. I watched the boat with much interest and 
solicitude, from the time it left the frigate's side, till it 
reached that of the brig. For minutes the boat and crew- 
were entirely lost to my sight, and I would suppose them 
sunk, when it would shoot its bows upon the crest of a 
wave, seemingly almost standing upon its stern, and then 
plunge again out of sight, into the gulf formed by the 
heaped up waters, as grand and picturesque, as they were 
sublimely awful. As the boat neared us, it was plainly 
seen, that the four men at the oars were nearly exhausted, 
and had but little strength remaining, to contend much 
longer with the rag-ins: waters around them; besides she 
was fast filling, by the breaking of the spray over her 
bows, in spite of the exertions of the lieutenant in the 
stern, who was doing his endeavours to lessen the water 



10G THE CAPTURE. 

in the boat, by baling -with his hat, the quickness of his 
motions showing his office was no sinecure, as well as 
that he was not altogether indifferent to their situation. 
Neither were the brig's crew insensible to the fate of 
these hardy mariners, enemies though they were, but had 
ropes, boat-hooks, and slings in readiness for their help, 
the moment they came near enough to be reached. This 
proved a lucky circumstance for those in the boat, and 
saved them from a watery grave ; for it had but just 
touched the side of the brig when it went adrift, leaving 
the men dangling to the ends of the ropes thrown them. 
At the other end of these same ropes, however, were 
sturdy hands and willing hearts, Avho in a trice landed 
them in safety on deck. 

The boarding-officer, a blustering and nois}' John Bull. 
in make, weight, and swagger, seized the trumpet and or- 
dered the brig's crew aloft, to secure the sails that were 
flapping in the wind. In his anxiety to show himself con- 
spicuously before strangers, he gave one of the men a 
man-of-war's slap with his trumpet, to quicken his mo- 
tions. For this kindness he was told his protection was 
small, and hints were thrown out, that unless he mended 
his manners, he would be set adrift to keep company with 
his boat, as soon as the darkness was sufficient to hide the 
kindly act. This he took so much at heart (lest he might 
be among the missing on the morrow,) that he went aft to 
the captain, and demanded a guard for his safety during 
the night, or till reinforcements were received from the 
frigates. The necessary guard was granted him, with an 
understanding that he was not to leave the cabin, but that 
the duty should be carried on as usual by our own officers 
and men. 

The sails were furled in part only, for the men and offi- 
cers cared but little, how soon they were torn from the 
yards, or how much damage was done to the brig, now 
she was belonging to the enemy. An old salt that had 



THE CAPTURE. 107 

passed the lashing around the foresail, on the windward 
yard-arm, said, when he came down, 'my slipnoose won't 
hold longer than a tie of pig-tail, nor is it half as strong 
(twisting off the lesser part of a fathom while speaking,) 
as this I bought for ladies twist, gentries' best — if the sail 
works loose, it's more the fault of the knot than the one 
that made it, for I've done my best to please all hands.' 

It did work loose, and no effort of the officers was suf- 
ficient to get the men aloft the second time, to secure the 
sails from the fury of the wind, Avhich soon blew them 
from their bolt-ropes ; and we were left without a sail we 
could set, except the mainsail and jib. 

The men had free license during the night, no one 
checking them in their pursuits, wishes, or propensities ; 
each doing what seemed most congenial to his nature, un- 
der present circumstances. It was but the work of a mo- 
ment to break through the bulk- head, or partition which 
separated the hold from the store-room ; and thus a free 
ingress and egress was kept up all night between the 
brig's hold and this 'land of plenty.' 

To narrate a small incident that occurred, while this 
privateering was going on, I must go back a little, for a 
better understanding of the subject, craving pardon at the 
same time for the digression. 

While the brig was under the command of her former 
captain, it was generally understood, nay it was the com- 
mon every-day gossip, that his determination was 'never 
to surrender, never to give up the brig into the hands of 
the enemy, however great the odds he might encounter.' 
His late conduct strengthened this opinion, when in com- 
mand of the brig, at the time of being attacked by the 
boats of an English frigate. During the fight, he seized a 
lighted match, (as the remnant of his crew fell back before 
the overwhelming numbers from the boats, who had o- a i n - 
ed the deck,) and taking a position half down the compa- 
nion way, which led to the magazine, threatened to fire it 



108 THE CAPTURE. 

the instant they retreated farther, and issued his orders 
from thence with the match lighted, ready and determined 
to put his threat into execution, if the enemy were not 
beaten back to their boats. Whether this be true or false, 
there are no positive documents to show, but such is the 
version of the story told by those in the brig at the time of 
the aforesaid fight, and such passed current and was be- 
lieved by those in her when she was captured. 

It was likewise supposed the present captain had re- 
ceived his appointment under a pledge never to surrender, 
instead of any superior qualification or knowledge of naval 
affairs he possessed. One or more subsequent circum- 
stances, helping to confirm this supposition, I will detail 
as I received them ; a matter of little concern, however, 
whether true or false. 

At the time of our capture, there were on board five or 
six French and Portuguese seamen, who had belonged to 
the brig during her former cruisings, and who appeared to 
be upon good terms with the captain, but had no inter- 
course with the crew ; they messed by themselves, and 
had as little to say to the 'Americans' as the Americans 
manifested disposition to associate with them. These men 
were overheard to say, more than once during the chase, 
that the 'brig never would be taken by the frigates ;' as- 
signing no reason why, only, 'she shall never be under a 
British flag.' One of the men had been a prisoner of war 
ten times, and declared he would sooner go to the bottom 
of the ocean than again to prison. To this no one ob- 
jected, provided he went without company ; for he was a 
Frenchman by birth, a Calmuc in appearance, a savage in 
disposition, a cut-throat at heart, and a devil incarnate. 

Our first lieutenant kept a strict eye upon this coterie, 
during the whole day that the chase continued, the idea 
strengthening, as the captain held on his course long after 
any hope remained of the chance of getting clear of the 
frigates, that all was net right. In the hurry of the mo- 



THE CAPTURE. 109 

ment, at our rounding-to, Jose, one of the mess above 
spoken of, seized a brand from the caboose, proceeded 
towards the magazine, and would have carried his diaboli- 
cal intentions into effect, only for the vigilance of our 
ever watchful lieutenant, who checked him ere too late, 
brought him on deck, nor quit his hold till the brand was 
cast overboard, and the dastard thrown thrice his length, 
by an indignant thrust of the lieutenant's powerful arm. 
When the Portuguese found his aim was frustrated, he 
came up directly before me (thinking, no doubt, I looked 
less pugnacious than his late rough handler) crying like a 
child, and declared all on board were cowards, rank cow- 
ards, and afraid to die and go to h — 1. No one attempted 
by argument to disprove his absurd reasonings — rather 
wishing him first to prove his own bravery, without hazard 
to others, when each then could choose for himself in 
these matters of nicety. 

During the 'privateering' below deck, I had filled my 
hat with the best flavoured Mocha I could select from 
the choice of a dozen bags, and was making my way back 
to my place of general deposite, with as much haste as 
possible, to be in readiness for another cruise, when I was 
suddenly pitched headlong a dozen feet or more, by a 
heavy concussion ; followed immediately with a report, 
equal to the loudest artillery, and the water came pouring 
down the hatchway in torrents, with a stillness and set- 
tling of the brig, that created a sensation too horrible to 
dwell on, even at this distant day. Many sang out, 'we 
are blown up !' 'We are blown up and are sinking.' 'The 
Lord help, for none other can save.' The idea seemed 
very plausible; still I did not think she was blown up, 
accounting: for the shock and confusion from a different 
source, though equally disastrous had it occurred. 

I had been on deck but a short time previous, and ob- 
served one of the frigates had drifted near to, and directly 
ahead of the brig. This I supposed had fallen on board 
10 v.l 



110 THE CAPTURE. 

of us, in one of the heavy swells that were driving them 
and the brig about with their impetuous and uncontrol- 
able sway. A sea, larger than usual, had struck us full 
in the bows, with such fearful velocity and force, as to 
cause the shock and report ; a great portion of the wave 
breaking over the bulwarks and falling on deck, deluged 
the hold from the hatchway ; and the vessel settling into 
the trough of the sea caused bv the receding wave, was 
what created the alarm on board, and interrupted me, 
with others, in our laudable and praiseworthy intentions, 
of not suffering the enemy to have too many of the good 
things, originally intended for the use of others. 

My hat full of coffee was scattered between the hold in 
so thin layers, that I naturally concluded it would be less 
trouble to apply to the same source from whence the 
other came, than to gather it up. In ten minutes (I was 
always noted for alacrity of movement, when personally 
interested) I had my hat filled again, if not from the same 
bag, from one of equal flavour, with the addition to my 
freight, of a box of No. 1 herrings, as a remuneration for 
my second trip, and loss of my first prize ; although I was 
put to no inconsiderable trouble in selecting a good box. 
as others had been before me, leaving none but the refuse, 
except this one, which was a carelessness or oversight 
unpardonable, justifying severe censure. 

On my return from this trip, I fell in with the Loafer, 
noticed in the second chapter, busily engaged with a ham 
of half his size, who upbraided me for the want of taste 
in my selections, ending with a friendly advice for my 
future consideration and advantage, should I profit by it. 

'I goes always for the solids.' said he, 'something a man 
can manage independent of the cook, for they are a vile 
set, ever lessening one's allowance, till at last they will 
suppose a man can live on air. Take advice from one 
who can give it — stick to the solids, and let others fish for 
what is upon the surface — stick to the solids.' 



THE CAPTURE. HI 

He was notching deep into the side of the ham, while 
he was delivering his advice, and as often as he slabbed 
off a hand's breadth slice, he had only to roll it to a con- 
venient size whilst in his mouth, and way was made for 
its fellow, both in magnitude and solidity. This was fol- 
lowed up in such quick succession, that I was doubtful 
whether he had not some way of concealing the pieces, 
other than the port-hole entrance to his face, and I was 
determined to tarry a moment to have my doubts satisfied. 
I remarked he had a heavy job before him, and hinted 
should he want assistance, he might command my ser- 
vices. After saluting me with a laugh, peculiarly his 
own, he drew himself off towards a dark corner, with a 
shyness that prompted my curiosity to observe his actions ; 
and I was no little amused to see him select a hiding 
place for his ham, between the water casks, to be again 
brought out at a more convenient period, when windfalls 
of the like kind were less abundant, or the eyes of the 
curious were elsewhere directed. 

The few remarks I bestowed upon this person in the 
commencement of the narrative, I then thought would be 
the last ; but there were traits about him that deserve 
farther record, and as he now is on his fifth foraging ex- 
cursion, I will devote a page to his memory. 

In my former notice, I said he had taken a berth with 
us, for the want of a better shelter, not doubting his room 
would be much more valuable than his person ; but this is 
only another instance of error, by judging prematurely of 
one's accomplishments, when no opportunity has allowed 
the individual to display himself to advantage. 

The Loafer showed early symptoms of improvement in 
the duties of the brig, beyond many who were better edu- 
cated for the profession of a marine. Though never 
active, he was always to be found where duty required, 
quietly assisting to the extent of his abilities. He was 
never known to miss his number at watch call, nor his mess 



112 THE CAPTURE. 

place at meal times. His extreme strength, for he pos- 
sessed that of a giant, was valuable to his fellow-workers 
of the brig. Without the least apparent exertion, he 
could do more at a heavy lift or pull, than any other on 
board. 

At eating, the Loafer stood second best to none, and 
had the crew been possessed of his voracity, to the same 
degree, the former prediction of the prize-master would 
have been verified — the brig would have had to seek a 
port for supplies, ere a week from her departure from port. 
He as often took his food in a raw, as in a cooked state, 
merely rolling it with the tongue, and it was gone — no 
one ever seeing him masticate as others. This gave rise 
to an idea that he possessed the faculty of raising his cud, 
kine-like, but there was no proof that this was the case. 
Among the whole number of the green hands, the Loafer 
was the only one that was not sick — T never sickens,' said 
he, 'except when supplies fall short.' 

Never while in the brig, did any thing go wrong between 
him and the crew, only when he went prowling about 
the cook's department, for the offal of the pot, when a 
din and uproar was raised by the sable majesty of grease, 
at his depredations upon the marrow bones and pot 
skimmings, intended to enrich the slush tub, his lawful 
and undeniable perquisites, which our friend in question 
always committed, at the least inattention of the black- 
amore. To such an extent had the Loafer carried this 
cribbing process, that the crew had already given him the 
distinctive cos;nomen of the turkev-buzzard of the brie. 

Many a sharp argument have I overheard by the mem- 
bers of his mess, whether he had any claims to humanity? 
Some supposed him to be the imp of darkness, aping the 
human form. 'No, no,' an opponent in the argument 
would say, 'the old one is too 'cute, to put on such a 
frame.' Others supposed him a wizard, the Wandering 
Jew, or a sweeper expelled from the Flying Dutchman. 



THE CAPTURE. 113 

When the disputants grew warm in their debates, they 
would appeal to him in good earnest to know, 'who in the 
devil's name he was.' Instead of answering their inqui- 
ries, he would sidle out of the circle with a laugh, and tra- 
verse the deck or hold, hiding whatever he might pick 
up, in crevices and corners, like the cur, to be brought 
forth in times of scarcity when wanted. 

The Loafer's person was as singular, as were his propen- 
sities. He was of short stature, with head and shoulders 
sufficiently large for one twice his weight, but from the 
shoulders, all went tapering downwards, till what was left 
below the knees was of no account, the shanks made the 
more spindling by their task of double duty, of having to 
carry about the enormous head and shoulders overtoping 
them. The head was of the same architectural order of 
the other divisions — big at the top, and wedging off to the 
chin, which was small and flexible. The eyes were in 
slits, diverging from the nose upwards, and displayed 
much cunning, by their faculty of quickly seeing objects 
in different directions, without turning the head. 

But the mouth! — when shut, nothing was seen but a 
faint line, of a tint but a little darker than the brown of 
the surrounding parts. Beard he had none, simply, by its 
not being able to force its way through the undisturbed 
coating of dirt, made impenetrable by time and the polish 
it had gained by the oft repeated wipe of the hand's back. 
But the beauties of the mouth were all reserved for the 
laugh, encroaching so far upon the premises of the sur- 
rounding neighbourhood, as to engulf the whole by its 
vastness ; — the chin dropped in very fear — the upper lip 
stretched into lengthy nothingness — the ears seemed to 
retreat to near each other at the rear of the head, to hold 
converse for their mutual safety, in the jerkings back of 
the mouth's corners ; and when all was in full play, an 
inward chuckle was heard, more resembling a succession 
of violent hiccoughs, than a lau?h, without an indication of 
10* v.l 



HI THE CAPTURE. 

its coming to the surface, or of any other part of the body 
being engaged with it, except the mouth and inward 
throat. Had the other portions of the man entered into 
one of his smiling freaks, I know not what convulsions 
the combination would have produced. 

I beg pardon of my readers for dwelling so long upon 
this man, but I could not get rid of this oddity of nature's 
handicraft, with less space, unless I left him to be pic- 
tured by the imaginations of those, who chose to follow 
me, which is a task I lack the hardihood to inflict upon a 
worthy class, I so very much revere. 

About half an hour after I had fallen in with the Loafer 
and the ham, I again saw him with a moderate sized 
cheese, whose fair circular proportions had already been 
gapped to deformity, by this cormorant in human shape. 
I watched him from a distance through curiosity, to know 
what would be the end of the cheese, but his ever roving 
eyes soon caught me at my eager gaze, which he no doubt 
construed to my wishing to partake of the cheese, as well 
as of the ham, and he withdrew to find another hiding 
place, different in location from the first, where the latter 
was deposited. 

The boat's crew which came from the frisrate entered 
with much good will into the pervading fun and frolic, 
with the hands of the brig, and partook still more freely 
with the good cheer that was plenteously passing around, 
till two out of the four became so intoxicated, as to be 
unable to do farther duty, either to the prize they were 
sent to guard, or the bottle with which they had joined 
fellowship, and were charitably stowed away from the sight 
of their lieutenant, who knew nothing of the circumstance. 
Thus were they screened from an exposure, which inevi- 
tably must have brought them under the swing of the 
boatswain's cat at the next day of punishment. The other 
two continued singing their songs, and displaying their 
merriment, as did many of those belonging to the brig, 



THE CAPTURE. 115 

throughout the entire night, and appeared as though all 
alike belonged to the craft. I can say with safety, the 
number of our crew -who were drunk, were not in the 
same proportion as that of the boats ; yet far too many 
were lively, for the comfort of those who remained sober. 
The whole night was spent in securing whatever could 
be carried off by the men, frolicking, drinking, and shame- 
fully devastating the armament and fitting out of the brig. 
Enough was done to arouse the ire of any who had not 
the propensity to join in this destruction, unless one ar- 
gued upon the principle of letting nothing fall into the 
hands of the enemy, which could in any way be prevent- 
ed. To me, unused as I was to such destructive wasting 
of goods and provisions, the whole proceeding seemed 
strange and unnatural ; yet I could not wholly desist from 
appropriating to myself, for after use, a few of the good 
things I saw so abundantly floating about, and was con- 
tent to secure to my share of the plunder, (independently 
of the high-flavoured Mocha,) about one-fourth of a good 
sized cheese, rejecting some six or eight before making 
my final selection, two to three dozen of the choicest 
herrings from the box before mentioned, and as many 
pilot biscuit as I could well stow in my hat-crown and 
pockets ; about as bad a selection as could be made, con- 
sidering the time occupied and the abundance before 
me. But then, it was this very abundance which caused 
the lack of judgment in making the selection, and not 
better supplying myself with the needful ; for, like the 
celebrated coquette, I went on rejecting the good things 
before me, still thinking the best were yet to come, till at 
last I had thrown aside all' of value, and was, per force, 
compelled to take such as remained. However, expe- 
rience is every thing in matters of this kind, and I was 
most sadly wanting in that, which, I trust, will be a suf- 
ficient excuse, even to the most fastidious, that I was no 
better freighted, when leaving the brig for the frigate. 



116 THE CAPTURE. 

I afterwards had reason to feel no small degree of pride, 
at the cftre I was at, in putting on all the clothing I could 
wear, which amounted to three entire suits, boots except- 
ed, and afterwards covered the whole with my comfort- 
able fear-naught great-coat. While my shipmates were 
catering for the inward man, I was more profitably em- 
ployed in laying on lasting habiliments for the outward 
person, which, as the sequel will prove, was displaying 
a sagacity worthy of an older head than the one that 
prompted the suggestion. This was done, however, at 
the expense of rather a cutting inuendo, from one of our 
prize-masters, who sarcastically said, 'you have the germ, 
if not the stamina, of a privateers-man, and with a little 
training would do for a worse calling.' 

Said I, a little tempered, 'your natal place is where you 
first took root, among pirates and outlaws, and^ no where 
else can you thrive.' 

'A few hours make a wonderful difference with the 
levelling of a vessel's crew at sea.' 

This I knew as well before, as after his saying so, but 
concluded to let the conversation drop, for service of 
another kind was planning. At about half-past eleven, 
at night, a rally was made among the men by the officers, 
to retake the brig; but when getting on deck, and seeing 
the shattered condition of our sails and rigging, made 
much worse by our own doings, together with the close 
proximity of the frigates, one of which lay so near as to 
be able to see our movements and intentions from her 
deck, by the unusual clearness of the moon-light night, 
and could have given us a full broadside before we could 
have filled away, the project was abandoned as imprac- 
ticable. 

The Fifer through all those proceedings, kept aloof, 
disdained touching aught to which he had no claim, de- 
claring 'I never saw such waste in my born days — I was 
not aware before of being among drunkards, thieves and 



THE CAPTURE. 117 

robbers. I can't see how men with any pretensions to 
honesty, can meddle with what belongs to others.' He 
appeared much astonished at what he saw, and more than 
once said, he would assist in securing the ringleaders of 
those mostly concerned in cutting up the sails and cor- 
dage, and brinsnns: them to punishment. So much was 
his mind taken up with the waste of the brig's armament, 
that his own affairs were a secondary consideration ; and 
his disinterestedness was such, as to leave to others the 
task of taking care of his hammock and blanket, when 
leaving: the brio- for the frigates. His friends took such 
especial care of them, that they never more troubled the 
owner, much to his chagrin, and imprecation, when their 
loss taught him the value of 'looking after his own duds.' 

Nimble Billy took every thing he saw as a part of the 
duty of the cruise ; and I verily believe, if he were to 
take another trip to sea, he would naturally look for the 
6ame scenes to be enacted as now — not once dreaming 
any thing was out of the way, or that the cruise was not 
continued as originally intended, with the single excep- 
tion, that the dollars had not yet shown themselves. 

As the morning broke, and day-light made known the 
condition of the brig, a worthless wreck, in comparison to 
the proud boast of every seaman, but a day past, a melan- 
choly regret pervaded one's thoughts, with an involuntary 
imprecation at those that had caused the devastation, 
although his own hand mi°;ht have been foremost in mak- 
ing her less valuable to an enemy. Proverbially, seamen 
exhibit a yearning towards the craft that has borne them 
upon the deep, but little less sincere, than for the mistress 
of their affections, especially when of mould and trim to 
their liking ; and here, the moisture of more than one eye, 
when leaving the deck for the boats of the frigate, gathered 
to a full tear, while scanning with a seamen's gaze, the dis- 
ordered nettings, and ungainly trim of the hull ; or turned 
aloft for a last look at the ragged and tattered rigging of 
that far-famed, hitherto, unmatched brigantine. 



118 
CHAP. IX. 

GOING OX BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

The morning after our capture, the weather being calm 
and pleasant, we early saw preparations were making for 
our removal; and at half past eight o'clock, a boat from 
each of the three frigates put off, simultaneously, by 
signal, and were soon alongside of the brig. Those in 
command of the boats did not allow any of their men to 
leave them, but kept off till one at a time was filled, and 
then pushed towards the frigate from whence she came. 

We were allowed to take with us whatever we pleased, 
no objection being made to the bulk or weight of each 
one's baggage. This was the more strange to me, as 
many had enough to serve the wants of a commodore of a 
squadron on foreign service ; and which, the reader may 
very naturally conclude, without my taking the trouble of 
saying so, was no small privilege, after the license given, 
or taken, on board the brig, from the time of her capture 
to the removal of the prisoners, if he keep in remem- 
brance the bumps of appropriativeness, so largely deve- 
loped upon each of my shipmates' cranium, as well as 
their propensities of letting nothing moveable fall into 
the hands of the enemy. 

However early were the boats, each one of the crew 
was ready with bag, baggage and person, well supplied 
with the needful things in this life, in a manner to which 
they were heretofore strangers, as could plainly be seen 
by their awkward gait across the deck, their unwieldy 
bodies fairly tottering under the superabundance of the 
last night's 'privateering,' as termed by them. With the 
exception of some three or four, however, the crew were 
much more sober than one would imagine, considering the 
temptation before them. 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 119 

I did not leave the brig till the second trip of the .boats, 
about ten o'clock; ■when I took a conspicuous seat by 
the side of the lieutenant commanding, who commenced 
many inquiries concerning the old Constitution frigate, for 
which they had been cruising, since they received infor- 
mation of her sailing by a coaster, the day after she left 
port, until falling in sight of the brig. My knowledge of 
this frigate enabled me to answer his several questions 
more satisfactorily than any other at his side. Through 
the agency of an acquaintance, who was a midshipman 
belonging to the Constitution at the time, I had been 
much on board of her, not only after her celebrated 
escape from an enemy's squadron, in the early part of the 
war, but also, at each of the several entrances into port, 
after she had gained the two victories over the Guerriere 
and Java frigates of the enemy. During these visits I 
had examined minutelv the remaining marks and effects 
of the contest, when pointed out, with a curiosity only 
engendered by a patriotism youths of my age generally 
possess. 

This inquisitive lieutenant was very particular to learn 
the effect of the round shot upon the Constitution : and 
when told that many of them did not penetrate her sides 
sufficiently to lodge, but merely indenting the wood some 
three inches, and then fell harmlessly to the water, he 
appeared much amazed, and would scarcely believe me, 
until assuring him I had been around her in a boat, and 
had been particular in examining for myself, being alike 
doubtful of its truth with others, when reading the account 
in the newspapers of the time. I had her dimensions 
nearly to exactness then, for I took no little interest with 
the different vessels of war, as they came into port from 
their outward cruisings, which now was like to be of 
signal advantage, by helping me into the good graces of 
the first lieutenant of marines, of his Britannic majesty's 
frigate Leander. Our acquaintance lasted with uninter- 
rupted enjoyment, till we reached — the ship. 



120 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

When running the boat under the lee of the frigate, 
she was very near being swamped by the carelessness of 
her crew, in not properly fending her off. The storm of 
the few days previous had caused a tremendous swell, 
which had not yet subsided, and the vessel rolled in such 
a manner, as made it almost impossible to get on board 
from the boat, which had to be kept off far enough to clear 
the frigate's side, in her successive and continued rollings. 
The only way we could get to her deck, was, at a favour- 
able opportunity, to leap from the boat, and catch a rope 
hanging by the gangway ladder for the purpose ; when at 
the next moment, should we be so fortunate as to make 
good the hold, we were thirty feet in the air, dangling 
over an angry sea, and thrashing the frigate's sides with 
our bodies. If the jump were made a second too soon, 
before she had finished her downward lurch, we would 
have the advantage of double weight to carry, by a souse 
in the sea, with the clothes saturated to the hide with salt 
water. 

I had the same miso;ivin2;s here as when ascending the 
fettock shrouds, some three chapters back — inability to 
hold on in my extreme weak state, with the disadvantage 
now of my treble suits of clothing, which I would gladly 
have cast off to lighten myself, even to drawers and shirt. 
I made the leap with no other mishap, than so exactly 
timing it with a shipmate, that both of us caught the rope 
at the same instant, without either being acquainted with 
the other's intentions, so selfish were we in our move- 
ments. 

Now commenced a struggle for precedence. As one 
could not assert his claim by prior right of conquest, so 
the other could not lead the way by seniority of posses- 
sion ; and, as both from the jump were wrong in not hav- 
ing a foot-hold to begin with, so to the end did each hang 
upon his own hook, and grapple with his opponent to 
make good what he had in hand. To go forward we could 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 121 

not, as the way was blocked up by others on the ropes, 
that had preceded us, and the gangway was somehow 
obstructed for a moment, so they could not gain the deck. 
One of these, who happened to be directly in our path 
of procedure, and not liking to be disturbed in his hang- 
ing position, as he was like to be, by our encroaching 
struggles, impudently made our heads stepping blocks for 
his feet to rest upon, and coolly advised his coadjutor in 
hanging to do the same. It was equally as impossible to 
retrace our steps, for every inch we neared the end of the 
rope, so much the nearer were we to the water below us, 
at the alternate and constant rollings of the frigate. We 
had now nothing to contend for, but who should be 
nearest the rope's end, I or my shipmate ; a matter of no 
little worth, when viewed in a proper light. However, as 
the contention arose from a want of understanding, and 
the subject in controversy a grab game, we mutually con- 
sented for each to hold his own, and settle the matter at a 
more fitting time and place. Really, thought I, a little 
fear will make even a sick man a giant in strength, if not 
in heart. 

Our struggles afforded much sport and laughter to the 
boat's crew, who were jibing us lustily at our activity in 
boarding an enemy ; saying, no seamen were equal to the 
Americans in striving who should be first on an enemy's 
deck, if we were a fair sample of the whole. Our stoical 
indifference to their jokes, was only equalled by our 
anxiety to hang and not drown. Two in the boat were 
gravely betting which of us would soonest let go ; and I 
felt the stronger by the one saying, he would double the 
bet in my favour, on seeing something in my appearance, 
which convinced him I was not born to be drowned. We 
rained the deck in safety ; but no one would have sup- 
posed, judging from the appearance of our faces, that we 
had not been overboard, such a sweat had the hard strug- 
gle and fear started to the surface. 
11 v.l 



122 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE/ 

The first object that attracted my attention, was two of 
our crew settling some matter of difference between them- 
selves, in the usual rough-and-tumble way, and in their 
struggle were disfiguring and bruising each other like wild 
beasts. Over and over the deck they went, first one up- 
permost then the other, affording as much amusement to 
the officers of the frigate as to the surrounding crowd, or 
satisfaction to themselves, the combatants, who, when 
they had worked aft to the quarter-deck, were separated 
by the marines and kept apart. 

One of the officers belonging to the frigate, I overheard 
say, 'I will bear witness to their bravery, (meaning the 
Americans,) as I have seen them fight when surrounded 
by their enemies on every side.' 

Another observed, 'no wonder they are hard to beat, 
when they fight so fiercely among themselves.' 

A third, evidently, by dialect, a cockney, said, ' 'ow'er 
'ell they fight, I see but little science in their 'its.' 

The whole crowd appeared to be no little amused at the 
circumstance, of two prisoners fighting with each other the 
moment they sat foot on the deck of the vessel that had 
captured them. 

The brig's crew were undergoing a search when I first 
went on board the frigate, and if the first part was as com- 
icallv interesting as the latter, which I saw, I am only 
sorry I did not take the first boat, or that there was no one 
to note down particulars. What took place under my su- 
pervision was truly laughable, deserving a better pen and 
a readier imagination than mine, to give it its merits ; or 
to convey to the reader a scene, which he may suppose a 
reality, rather than a freak of the writer's imagination. 

The search was conducted by a sergeant of marines, 
assisted by several of his subordinates, a fellow of much 
fun and quaint humour, who possessed a change of de- 
meanour, tone, and look, only excelled by his ready 
wit, facility of odd sayings, variety of movements, and 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 123 

gentlemanly bearing; and was one, such as is seldom seen 
in the every-day walks of life. 

The first subject that came under the sergeant's notice, 
after I went on board, was a full-paunched personage, of 
most unwieldy proportions, especially in the waist and 
adjoining parts. This, compared with the lankness of the 
lower extremities, and thinness of phiz of the same indi- 
vidual, was sufficient to create suspicions in the minds of 
others of far less sagacity than the sergeant possessed, that 
all was not as it should be, and forthwith he accosted him : 

'Your appearance shows a dropsical constitution; is it 
long since you have been suffering with the complaint?' 
rapping while speaking, with his rattan, on the bread- 
basket of this Daniel Lambert shaped fellow. 

'I don't suffer at all ; for the bulk of the disease comes 
and goes by spells, like the trot of my mother's old mare, 
when she takes her contrary tacks aboard, which, if you 
should like to hear, I will give you the particulars of, ex- 
cept the motions, in the way the old woman told me the 
last time I was at home, provided you allow me to sit; for 
to stand longer, I'm blest if I can.' 

'Never mind the old mare now, reserve that story till 
nothing better offers. If you have no particular objections, 
let me examine the seat of the disease ; and as I am some- 
what of a physician, and an adept at curing cases of the 
kind you labour under, I will lend my aid to your relief, 
and lighten you of a burthen, that will enable you to ap- 
pear in this good company in a more becoming figure than 
you now do ; after which comes the rocking-chair.' 

'If you catch any disorder in your examination, don't 
lay it to a want of caution from me ; the disease you are 
in search of I took in the natural way, and may-be it's 
catching.' 

'Your caution is praiseworthy, yet I fear not taking 
your disease ; besides do you think you know better than 
your physician, who wishes to administer to your cure, 



124 GOING OX BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

whether your distemper is like to spread or remain with 
yourself?' 

'I know this much, that you may be a good physician, 
(but infernally harsh) — you won't allow me to sit, stand I 
cannot, and give up I must, unless you let me go below ; 
and if I am not relieved of the greatest bulk of the swell- 
ings by a night's rest, why then I will submit to your 
experience and superior judgments in these matters, a 
bungler, though, I think you are, if not a quack.' 

'Your logic is certainly very feasible ; but as there are 
many more cases waiting as urgent as yours, you must 
submit noAV to a depletion, and hereafter to the treatment 
laid down for such as you are labouring under.' 

The marines the while were ensued in getting off the 
outer garments of the big paunch, in which occupation, 
they found as much corporeal, as did the sergeant argu- 
mentative resistance, and had just opened to the 'ban- 
dage,' as the sergeant finished the above sentence, who, 
with the same half serious railing, continued : 

'Here, a couple of you stretch along the deck with the 
end of the bandage, and move lively, my lads, or else we 
shall be late in our attentions to those in waiting.' 

Off they trotted with the end of a bolt of new canvas, 
twirling the big-belly, who stood as a centre-top to the 
surrounding gazers, till the whole bolt was run off; and 
stopped not turning, until the man was delivered of the 
third bolt and stood as slim in form, as any around the 
ring. As the canvas was unwinding, the sergeant kept 
up his vein of humour — 

'Merrily, my men, merrily — our advice works well — 
the disease is lessening fast under our treatment — a won- 
derful cure indeed — might have proved fatal to self-treat- 
ment, or to unprofessional advice — the man that bandaged 
this, deserves a diploma from a board of college surgeons, 
for the nicety of the job.' 

'Or a glass of grog,' chimed in our now lean chap, as 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 125 

the last end of his bandage was run off, 'for being turned 
into a spinning top without leave, and keeping the canvas 
out of worse hands — (my soul, what a twisting!') 

'You shall have it, friend big-belly, that was — ' 

'Cluegarnet Bob, at your service, soldier sergeant; and 
make it two, to our better acquaintance — (if dizzy means 
drunk, I'm corned for a week.') 

'Thank you for the hint — two it shall be, for — ' 

'And a heel-tap, to heal my lacerated feelings for being 
thus suddenly bereft of — ' 

'Three bolts of canvas, to others belonging.' 

'Have it your own way, so you will pass the word aft, 
to have the vessel held still, till I can get th« kinks and 
twist out of my brain ; for she has done nothing but mock 
me since I quit turning round, and it's a motion I most 
obnoxiously hate.' 

At grog time the sergeant was as good as his word; but 
whether there were any sentiments drank with the liquor, 
the writer cannot say, he being not a partaker of this 
second bout nor within hearing. 

The next in rotation was a man with an exceedingly 
bad leg, bandaged and splintered from the hip downwards, 
swollen and stiffened to the size and consistency of a well 
filled hop bag. 

'Pray,' said the sergeant, 'did you receive your hurt 
from any of our yesterday's shot, during the chase ?' 

'Yes — I — no — that is — I can't. I mean — damn it (with 
a stamp of the lame foot sufficiently strong to bring out 
the right idea, or to cure the lameness) I justly don't 
disremember, but somehow seems to think, if I am not 
very much mistaken, 'twas after the chase, that my leg 
was done up.' 

'There is a saying, and a very good one, 'nothing is 
done, but what may be undone ;' acting up to the adage, 
we will undo what was done after the chase.' 

'How dosn't I knows, you knows nothing at all about 
11* v.l 



126 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

what I knows don't ail my leg or not, and can't eure it no 
more nor I ?' 

'Your leg must be bared before I can risk an answer to 
your plain, distinct and logical questions.' 

'But my leg is my own, and if I choose to care for it, 
or let it rot, what business is that to nobody, any howr' 

'Nobody cares for the leg, but it is the covering I 
want,' which by this time was laid bare by unrolling a 
third of as much duck, as was taken from him with the 
big belly. 

Another was espied by the lynx-eyed sergeant, with an 
arm in sling, as was supposed ; for no arm could be seen 
for the enft-mous coating or cover, under which it was 
supposed to lie. 

'My good fellow, it is a sad thing to lose an arm, and I 
hope yours, which I perceive is hurt, is not entirely gone.' 

'It will depend much upon the second dressing, as the 
surgeon of the brig said when doing it up ; which must 
not be for at least twenty-four hours from the time of the 
first ; if sooner, amputation may be necessary.' 

'Such desperate cases require caution, and your sur- 
geon was wise in giving it ; but we will hold a consul- 
tation, not wishing to bear the responsibility of alone 
managing this serious hurt of yours, and thus endanger 
a reputation, gained by many years of hard study and 
laborious researches.' 

He forthwith called upon two of his understrappers to 
see what occasioned the want of an arm. Upon an 
examination, more canvas was found, and thrown into 
the already swelling pile upon the deck. 

One of the hands of the brig was walking about with a 
tremendous tall sugar-loaf cap, of a dingy red. This next 
attracted the sergeant's attention ; and when the man 
underneath was requested to walk into the ring, he was 
accosted by the sergeant, in the same style of dry humour, 
that characterized his former proceedings with the others. 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 127 

'How long since you left your sunny plains of Persia, 
for this rough and uncomfortable Atlantic ? for I perceive 
by your top-knots, (tapping the cap with his stick) you 
are an inhabitant of those ancient dominions of the world, 
where the women bandage their mouths, lest the lisping 
acquiescence shall slip out unawares, before the men make 
oath by their beards, their vows are sincere; a smooth 
chin making the oath nothing the weaker in the eyes of 
the muzzled mouth, than the one with a woolly exterior.' 

'I am not of Persia, neither do I choose these rough 
waves of the Atlantic for a home, but am here through 
compulsion for the want of employment, and under a vow 
to my mother, never to raise my cap from my head till I 
can send her the wherewith to pay her rent.' 

'Your vow is praiseworthy ; and lest your mother's rent 
shall remain unpaid, or your oath be broken, we will give 
our feeble aid to its removal.' At once the cap was re- 
moved, unrolled, and found to contain canvas enough for 
a suit of studdingsails for a king's yacht, rolled to a peak 
at one end, with an opening at the other for the head, and 
the whole smeared with the red paint of the brig, in a 
masterly manner to deceive. 

I noticed the night previous, that the older seamen were 
eager to secure the finer canvas, and when no more 
could be found, they fell to cutting up the light spare sails 
belonging to the brig, concealing the whole about their 
persons in the various ways here noticed, as well as many 
others not farther necessary to particularize. I could not 
for my life imagine their aim at the time, but afterwards 
learned, that canvas was the best article that the men 
could take with them, without the danger of its becoming 
injured by exposure, or the rough handling it necessa- 
rily must receive, from the confined situations of those 
who had it. It likewise was preferable to any thing 
else, not only on account of its easy concealment, but 
those who were engaged in the secreting it, knew where- 



128 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

ever they might be imprisoned, it would be at, or in the 
neighbourhood of a maritime port, where canvas was 
always an article of traffic, and could at all times be con- 
verted readily into money. 

Through the scrutinization of the sergeant, and to 
which the entire crew had to submit, I very much doubt 
whether there was a piece escaped, large enough to make 
a pudding bag, for the article was exceedingly scarce, 
when wanted for that purpose, a few days after our being 
transferred to the frigate, as dry flour was given us to be 
converted into pudding for dinner. 

The next who came under the sergeant's handling, was 
a portly one of the Turkish order, having his head encir- 
cled with a turban of alternate colours, red and white, 
whose size and dimensions, (if bulk of head gear gave 
title,) made him second to none in the dominions of the 
Sultan. The body, likewise, was girt about with a sash 
of crimson, of sufficient length to pass two or three times 
around it, and worn with an impudent swagger, that few 
could assume on first trial. 

'Friend, 'when among Romans do as Romans do,' is a 
saying to be remembered, and one that will help you 
through with manv a difficultv in this life, other than the 
present; so be pleased to douse your turban, and rig the 
cap I see in your bosom, and once more look like a 
christian.' 

'Dost thou take me for a dog, that thou shouldst invite 
me to become a christian ? Did I dare, I'd spit upon thee 
for thy impudence,' and proudly turned away, with evi- 
dent disdain upon his countenance. 

'You mistake my meaning, for were devils to turn chris- 
tians, all bedlam would be in an uproar. "What I want, 
is for you to render unto Caesar what to Caesar belongs, 
and give up the brig's signals, which you have thievishly 
appropriated to your use' — and he stretched on deck the 
turban and sash made up from the brig's pennants and 
colours. 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 129 

'I never before heard Caesar likened to a marine ; and I 
advise you to put a stopper upon your tongue, for if the 
old chap's spirit has any spunk, it will visit you with 
scarry dreams, for such rank scandal as talking about him 
while a marine is within hearing.' 

The search was continued, and every thing that was 
supposed to belong to the brig, was taken from the prison- 
ers, their protestations to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The Fifer had been searched, though but slightly, as 
nothing appeared to justify a closer examination, and was 
wandering about, being much taken up with what he saw, 
when he accidentally fell in with the fifer of the frigate. 
They soon understood each other's calling, and Amos 
began to banter the other, on the good qualities of his 
fife, over that belonging to his new acquaintance, which 
was stigmatized as of no worth, in comparison with his. 

They had exchanged their instruments for examina- 
tion, when Amos, to test the poor qualities of the one 
he was handling, blew a loud and shrill blast, where he 
was standing, on the forward part of the quarter deck. 
Had there been a general discharge of the guns from the 
larboard tier, followed by the starboard, including both 
decks, the consternation would not have been greater at 
this indecorum, or departure from the etiquette of disci- 
pline on deck. The unlucky instrument belonging to 
our Fifer, was taken, although not the offending one, and 
declared forfeited, as being a 'part of the armament of the 
brig,' although the Fifer offered to prove by the best 
authority 'in Berkshire,' that the fife was his, and always 
had been his, from the time it came from the hands of the 
maker; and that it never belonged to the brig; — dared 
them to bet any sum they chose to name, he would cover 
it to the amount of a ten dollar bill, that the brig had no 
fife ; that he used no borrowed instrument — he blew his 
own or none ; besides, there were his initials, A. W. near 
the mouth-hole, and his name in full, Amos Whipple, 



130 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

which he was not ashamed of the world over, engraved 
on the top ferrule. All would not do, although his coun- 
tenance showed an angry and squally aspect, no ways 
softened by his arms gesticulating misrule in their every 
flourish, whilst their knobbed extremities could not be 
interpreted other than hostile ; yet the fife was cast into 
the heap already swelled to a huge bulk, as part of the 
'armament of the brig.' 

I too underwent a search, but had nothing which came 
under the 'armament,' and was soon let off. Had the 
inquiry been continued a little farther, a dozen or more 
of sea biscuit might have been found between the vacant 
space of the two crowns, the head and hat's ; but whether 
these w r ould have come under the condemning decree, 
and thrown into the pile of the 'brig's armament,' I am 
not prepared to say. 

The search had nearly been completed, for the want of 
more prisoners, when the sergeant's eye fell upon a de- 
crepid old man, who was tottering under his misshapen 
humped back, and was more of an object of pity than of 
persecution. This aged one had been the last to leave 
the brig, nor could he then, without the kindly aid of the 
crew of the boat, who likewise assisted him to gain the 
deck of the frigate, wondering that so old and infirm a 
person should ever leave his home for the arduous duty 
of a sea life. When on board, every eye was directed 
towards him in deep commiseration for his many infirmi- 
ties of body, made more grievous by the number of years 
that had weakened his crooked frame; or the look was 
turned from him in very disgust, at his loathsome defor- 
mities. The greater portion numbering with the latter, for 
none could dwell upon his misshapen, humped back, or 
the unnaturally protruding breastbone, without having a 
shuddering chill creep through his frame, at the sight of 
so disgusting an object. 

He was of that kind of the humped back species, 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 131 

which is caused by the disease of the spine, as one could 
easily see by the magnitude of the disorder; which, it is 
well known, shows itself to its greatest extent first at the 
back, when, for the want of further ground to work upon, 
or as a balance for the patient to maintain his perpendi- 
cular, it builds its mountain upon the breast, and in its 
progress takes from the other parts of the person, to aid in 
the deformity. So in this, the protuberance at the back, 
was duly balanced by a like one high up in the breast, 
the two barely allowing the cripple to maintain his equi- 
poise, and nearly swallowing his head, leaving but a suffi- 
ciency of the face seen, to give him claim to humanity ; 
for the legs too had dwindled into very insignificance, in 
contributing their portion to make a perfect hunchback. 

'Old man,' said the sergeant, when he accosted this 
lump of deformity, 'you appear to have a greater share of 
this life's troubles than fall to the lot of most men ; and if 
there is any thing I can do to alleviate your misfortunes, I 
shall be happy for you to name it, and I will be at your 
service.' 

'My troubles are many, and my burthen is heavy ; my 
days are few, and I fain would have an hour's sleep 
below, undisturbed by any, when, I doubt not, I shall feel 
refreshed, and be enabled to appear in this good company 
in better trim, and in readiness to answer any inquiries 
your solicitude may prompt you to ask, as to my ailments ; 
but at present I feel too much overpowered by bodily 
infirmities either to answer your questions, or to point out 
farther what you can do to rid me of my load,' said the 
old man, with a pitiful and querulous voice, so indistinct 
from apparent weakness and debility, as scarcely to be 
heard. 

'Did you ever in your trials take your prototype, Bun- 
yan, as your guide, and learn to depend more upon faith 
than poor human nature ?' 

'I have, but I found his troubles were imaginary and in 



132 GOING TO BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

prospective, while mine are of the present and bodily ; he 
thirsted after the things which were to come, I hunger for 
those around me ;— his zeal blinded him to all surrounding 
obstacles, my diffidence cannot hide my deformity from 
the searching eyes of the curious ; — 'his troubles were 
effectually relieved as most suitable to his wishes, while 
mine, alas, if relieved at all, contrary to my desire, and in 
a way that will prove the cure worse than the disease. 
Besides, his troubles never reached to that of being a 
prisoner of war on board of a British frigate ; and it is 
doubtful in my mind, whether such trials, as I have to 
contend with, would not have sent him back, had he 
encountered them, even on his first day's pilgrimage.' 

'Yet he was delivered of his troublesome pack, and, 
with our assistance your misfortunes may be lessened if 
not fully relieved,' said the sergeant, the while the marines 
were endeavouring to disfranchise the hump at the back; 
but this they found no easy job, from the stubbornness and 
strength of the man beneath, who, with his wrigsrling. 
writhing, and pulling about, managed to edge in a word 
now and then, but in a much more healthy and loud tone 
than when at first answering the sergeant's queries. 

'Still, our troubles are dissimilar, good sergeant, as he 
with the load of sin, was striving with faith and prayer, to 
be rid of his, while I with might and main are trying to 
retain mine; — his wrestlings were with phantom spirits, 
not tangible, unseen ; — mine, great in numbers, lusty in 
strength, and rough in handling.' 

'The parting of the sinful man with hi3 load of iniquity 
was not without a struggle, and as the old man within is 
equally eager to hold what he has, we will lend a hand 
and sever that from the back which was intended for the 
belly; for if you be left alone to your ways, nothing but 
destruction will be your lot.' 

'It may be destruction to my body to retain what is 
certain destruction to my hopes to lose ; so either way J 
am the loser and not the gainer by these hard struggles/ 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 133 

By this time the marines had stripped the pea-jacket 
from the Loafer, loosened the lashings, and down tumbled 
the huge humps both from back and front, in the shape of 
two as goodly sized smoked hams as the most fastidious in 
such things might wish to see, each notched to the bone, 
by a slice being taken out of a pound or more in weight, 
as the one noticed in the last chapter, where a general 
introduction of this man to the reader was given. 

'How is this,' said the sergeant, 'are these hams marked 
as belonging to the brig? I have seen no such marks on 
the other 'armament of the brig,' yet they appear too uni- 
form to be without meaning.' 

'That is my mark,' returned the Loafer, good humour- 
edly ; and wherever you find this kind of 'armament,' as 
you call it, with that notch dotted to it, set it aside as 
mine, whether I am by to claim it or not,' and rounded 
the whole off with a laugh of his largest and most im- 
proved stamp, which caused the sergeant to exclaim, 

'Humps, scraggs, and chasms ! of creation's cast-off ma- 
terials ! ! if these are your dottings, what in the name of 
moderation do you call your slicings !' 

Without waiting for an answer to his interregatorv, the 
sergeant dodged out of the way, leaving his subordinates 
to finish what he had begun. They, after the laugh had 
subsided, being more intent to ascertain whether a cloven 
hoof was not pertaining to the originator of the laugh, 
(good reason had they for their surmises, for it was not 
like angel's singing, there was nothing human in it, and 
where else could they give it location ?) than feeling de- 
sirous of any further examination, gave him an oppor- 
tunity to slide out of the way, when he was soon con- 
founded with the crowd. 

Had they progressed with the search, a cheese would 

have enriched the pile of the 'armament,' which was 

located at the lower stomach of the Loafer, outwardly, 

'notched with his private mark,' as were the hams ; but 

12 v.l 



184 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

through the carelessness or fear of the marines, the cheese 
was allowed its original destination ; that is, after lying in 
quietness for a space of time on the outward person, it 
took an inward berth, where tons of other matter had 
gone before it, all however to no purpose ; for he thrived 
not by his heavy feedings, either in body or in mind ; nor 
was the Loafer ever known to say he had eaten enough, 
or to leave off his gorging, whilst any remained within his 
grasp. 

The search was conducted throughout with much jood 
will, and afforded amusement to both parties. In no one 
instance was there a harsh word used or a threat given, 
that it would be the worse for those, who had goods be- 
longing to the brig concealed about their persons. 

There was one circumstance connected with the search, 
which I could not understand ; that while our persons 
were so rigidly overhauled, our baggage was totally un- 
noticed, and lay in a pile on deck, alike disregarded by 
the officers and crew of the frigate, who said we were 
entitled to our private property and stores, and should be 
allowed to keep them unmolested. Many like the Loafer, 
who had come off without losing all that was concealed 
about their persons, transferred the remains to their clothes 
bags so soon as opportunity offered, and sadly regretted 
they had not at first secreted the whole of their last 
night's gleanings in this safe place, made sacred by the 
hisrh word of honour of England's commissioned officers. 
My sea-biscuit were in this way secured in my clothes 
bag, not only that I should be rid of the inconvenience 
of lugging them about through the day, but to keep com- 
pany with the quarter cheese therein slumbering, with 
the solidity of an alderman in his afternoon's nap — think- 
ing it a want of taste, and contrary to common usage, to 
keep apart such as are, one without the other, sharp and 
crusty in their natures, when, the two combined, are unc- 
tuous and pleasurable companions, making the heart of 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 135 

him glad who accidentally falls in and joins fellowship 
with them. 

As a stimulant for the men to keep a sharp look-out, on 
the mainmast of the frigate was a placard, which I noticed 
when first mounting the deck, offering a 'reward of £100 
to the man who shall first descry the American frigate 
Constitution, provided she can be brought-to,' with a 
smaller reward should they not be enabled to come up 
with her. Every one was eager in his inquiries about 
this far-famed frigate, and most of the men appeared 
anxious to fall in with her; she being a constant theme of 
conversation, speculation, and curiosity. There were, how- 
ever, two seamen and a marine (one of whom had had his 
shin sadly shattered from one of her grape-shot,) who were 
in the Java frigate when she was captured ; these I have 
often heard to say, in return to their shipmates' boastings, 
'if you had seen as much of the Constitution as we have, 
you would give her a wide berth, for she throws her shot 
almighty careless, fires quick, aims low, and is altogether 
an ugly customer.' 

We had a tall swarthy Portuguese in the brig, of an ex- 
ceedingly slim and wiry frame, who had been carousing 
the entire night previous, and was just becoming sober 
when taken to the frigate ; or at least so he thought, 
although his senses were as yet much wandering, giving 
him a wild and unnatural appearance. The officers and 
others of the frigate took this fellow to be an American 
Indian, with his native wildness and freedom still un- 
tamed, or his savage disposition, as when roving his forests 
wilds, without check or hindrance, yet unbroken. One of 
these officers declared he was the only real American in 
the prize — all the others were either Europeans or their 
descendants. A pretty safe assertion, considering the lati- 
tude on which he ventured to build the remark. 

This 'native' managed to keep upon his feet while as a 
locomotive, or going ahead, but not upright. He would 



136 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

wallop and twist about the deck — darting first at this boy, 
second at yon negro, then slap into the marine who was 
being relieved from standing sentry at the gangway, hoop- 
ing both him and the relieving corporal together with a 
fraternal hug, disarranging all their starched gravity of 
discipline ; now, squirming with the sinuosity of the eel, 
between the guns, over the booms, or through the rounds 
of the hatchway ladder ; and after poising his reeling body 
for a full swoop at the loblolly-boy, whom he missed, was 
at the next minute seen driving athwart ship at the main- 
mast, a coil of cordage interfering with his aim, only 
again to slide up against the caboose — ere finishing the em- 
brace with it, he was bending his way with hostile inten- 
tions towards the capstern — the water-tank bringing him 
up, by his irregular steering; when again he flew off to- 
wards some object more agreeable to bis fancy, or showed 
a willingness to stand still whilst he could pay his devoirs 
to it. His staggering gambolings about the decks, afforded 
much sport and laughter to those on board, the boys ex- 
cepted, who were seen concealing themselves under the 
guns, and in other places of security, occasionally gratify- 
ing their curiosity, by peeping out at his wild and unna- 
tural behaviour, at the risk of 'being eaten up by this 
American savage.' 

He carried on his anticks unmolested, till he became 
sobered enough to sleep ; and when waking, knew nothing 
more of the harlequin capers he had been cutting, than 
the greater part of the frigate's crew knew of his having 
been in liquor, they really supposing him to be a native, 
just from the forests of our country, merely indulging in 
his habitual woodland frolics. 

We were allowed the range of the spar and gun-decks, 
from the waist forwards, and were unmolested in our 
loungings and speerings about, to satisfy the various curi- 
osities possessed by our motly crew, who in appearance, 
speech and deportment, were far beneath those of the 
frigate's orderly and well-dressed seamen. 



GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 137 

The marines, however, as to good looks, were an 
exception to the above remark, and early attracted my 
attention, by their grotesque appearance and unsoldierlike 
bearing. They each had his red coat, or rather the re- 
mains of what had been a coat; for many had neither 
facings nor buttons, and one or more of the skirts were trans- 
ferred to the elbows, there to cover certain deficiences, or 
to aid in lengthening the worn-out cuffs ; thus, to use a 
military phrase, drawing in the outskirts to strengthen the 
wings and centre. The person as well as the coat was 
girt about the middle with a wide leathern belt, to hold a 
pair of large horse-pistols, that wanted but a year's further 
growth to be full-grown blunderbusses; — a pair of sailor 
trousers, whose length had been defrauded, to add to their 
breadth, needlessly showing the calf below, when all was 
allied to the same family above, as was manifest to the 
most ignorant, by their poking propensities ; and to com- 
plete the armament and martial appearance of these Boba- 
dil heroes, each had a naked, rusty ship's sword, of length 
sufficient for a studdingsail-boom, either thrust inside the 
belt, or hanging from under his arm. In plainer terms, I 
never supposed a set of men could be brought together of 
such heterogeneous make, dress and appearance, as were 
the marines on board of this frigate. 

By after inquiry, I was informed (whether true or false 
I cannot say, as I have never seen documents to confirm 
or disprove it) that the marines were of the rejected infan- 
trv, either from ill looks, bad behaviour, or inability to land 
service. When such were enlisted into the infantry, and 
were proved to be a disgrace to the profession or his com- 
rades, they were turned over to the marine corps. The 
circumstance of such a number, upwards of sixty, being 
on board of one ship, all of the worst stamp, not allowing 
the usual degrees of comparison, the whole coming under 
the superlative, ugliest, strengthened the belief, that my 
informant was correct, that they were the rejected of the 
IV vl 



138 GOING ON BOARD THE FRIGATE. 

common soldiers of the line, taken into the marine service, 
from which should they be rejected, a place must be 
sought out, not yet laid down in any chart of sacred or 
civil history, whither they might be sent; for their calling 
is the last on this terrestrial globe of ours, and below — why 
they would there be rejected by lynch law, without the 
ceremony of a trial. 

We lay-to for the brig to refit, which was hastened with 
all the aid wanted from the frigates the entire day; and so 
far had the men carried their devastating propensities the 
night previous, that it was dark before they could get sail 
on her, nor then in sufficient quantity to keep up with the 
squadron. 

It afterwards appeared, that those who were put on 
board of the brig, did not understand her trim, or could 
not manage clipper-built crafts like the one in question, 
throwing the blame upon the too large size of her masts 
and spars, in comparison to her hull. At all events, they 
could not get more than seven or eight knots per hour out 
of her, with the most favourable wind while in company 
with the frigates, which were constantly heaving-to every 
three hours for her to come up. Yet it was said on board 
of our vessel, (probably as an excuse for the lack of good 
management of the brig, for during the chase, she was 
once running off at the rate of twelve and a half knots 
per hour,) that her inability to keep up, was entirely 
owing to the injury done to her by her own crew. 

On the night of the fourth day after her capture, she 
fell astern till out of sight, when we saw her no more. 

Some time after our going to prison, her arrival at 
Penzance was announced in the newspapers, accompanied 
by many high encomiums, as to her make, strength, arma- 
ment, fitting out, &c. Among her other good qualities, 
she was said to be a first-rate sailer, and, altogether, far 
superior to others of like dimensions. 



139 
CHAP. X. 

FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

A whole chapter 'below at night,' for a subject, neces- 
sarily must be extremely dull, and confined to the smallest 
limits, as were each of us at the time, with not a ray of 
light to see our location ; so now is my subject as rayless 
as was this dismal orlop deck of the frigate, in which we 
spent the sixteen hours, out of which I am striving to 
recollect events to make matter for this chapter. But, 
alas, my struggles are in vain, and how similarly are my 
mental efforts to my former bodily writhings ; and how to 
the like effect ; for my ideas now, like my body then, are 
so cramped, wedged, and confined, that I can say nothing 
except to narrate facts as they occurred, gloomy, though 
they may appear in pages, yet not a thousandth part so 
gloomy as the reality proved. Those who are not fond of 
the horrors and scenes of misery, will do well to pass over 
this chapter, and we will meet again, when in a better 
mood to enliven a subject, or when we have more mirth- 
ful scenes to relate, and more space and light wherein we 
can work to advantage. 

At four o'clock, p. M. the prisoners were 'piped below,' 
when I clutched my baggage and bedding, as if 'it was 
my all,' but was politely told, with a voice and smile 
bland enough to grace a courtier asking favours, that, 'the 
space below is but scanty even for ourselves, and that for 
this night only, the baggage must remain on deck; but its 
safety should be looked to, till more spacious accommoda- 
tions were provided, which should be at the earliest pos- 
sible time.' 

I had my misgivings at the moment, that 'my all' was 
on my back — not that I in the least doubted the assurance 
of so worthy and soft spoken a gentleman, as was our 



140 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

conductor, the master-at-arms, that my 'baggage should be 
looked to,' but whether for my benefit, or that of the 
frigate's crew, did my faith waver till I became sceptical 
in the highest degree. 

The 'accommodations' allotted to the prisoners, were in 
the cable tier, being the fourth deck downwards. We 
were on the way thither under the pilotage of the master- 
at-arms, and had reached the hatchway on the berth deck, 
when, by some hindrance we were detained ten or fifteen 
minutes. 1 was improving the short time before we 
should move on. very judiciously, by viewing and admir- 
ing the novel scene of five hundred men at their night 
meal, by candle-light, seated around their mess tables, 
which were uniformly of one length, size, and, notwith- 
standing, the number, without the least variation from one 
end of the deck to the other, when a side door opened, 
near by where I was standing, a little apart from the body 
of the prisoners, and out stepped the commodore of the 
frigate, attended by his suit, on his way whilst going the 
rounds of the deck, a ceremony of no little bustle and 
show, more especially when strangers were known to be 
amongst the spectators. The commodore was in half- 
dress uniform, with the exception of his hat, in lieu of 
which, he wore a large bear skin cap, that added much to 
his fierceness of aspect and savageness of demeanour, 
without its lessening his top-heavy appearance, or steady- 
ing his staggering roll, made the worse by the unstable 
deck beneath him. When he saw us, he asked the first 
lieutenant who we were, and pettishly inquired what we 
were doing? His second in command gave him there- 
quired information, that we were the prisoners from the 
prize brig, and were going below for the night. The old 
fellow, with the sourness of sixty winters upon his coun- 
tenance, gashed with the hackings of many a hard fight, 
stepped directly up to me, raised his crutch-hoaded cane 
in a menacing manner, over my head, and broke out 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 141 

with the most abusive threats and denunciations, that I 
ever before or since have heard reeled off from the black- 
guard slang of any Billingsgate declaimer — gracing his 
epithets with the most obscene as well as profane expres- 
sions, keeping it up, till I began to suppose I had unwit- 
tingly been guilty of some gross indecorum or heinous 
misdemeanor, or that he had mistaken his man; and I 
began to cast about to see upon whom I might depend for 
reference, but before I could satisfactorily make my selec- 
tion, from the many of worth and standing grouped about, 
his wind failed, which saved him from farther degradation, 
and me from farther fear. He gave full assurance, both 
by his manner, speech, and delivery, that he had made 
the slang dictionary his only study, and with it he had 
finished his education. 

Had not a similar scene subsequently taken place, I 
might have set his language down, in my own mind, as 
being rougher than it really was, by its being directed to 
me personally (by position only, do I claim any past intro- 
duction to this knighted commodore) but I was afterwards 
convinced, there was nothing so vulgar, as not to be made 
more vulgar, while passing from the vulgar mouth of this 
wholesale vulgarity, personified. 

We were ushered below singly, in the dark ; and when 
all were rammed in, (I know of no other word which can 
explain my meaning) a marine was kept setting in the 
hatchway, that none should attempt to return, except 
upon the most urgent necessity. I was about the fourth 
one below, and was making my way towards the wing of 
the ship's hold, to be out of the direct track of those 
that were to follow, when I found my way shoaling 
upwards, till I became fast between two beams of the 
deck above. 

I crave pardon for digressing or retrograding a little 
from this so far straight forward narrative ; and believe I 
shall find leniency, if there be truth in the old adage, 'he 



142 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

who seldom asks is seldom refused ;' promising to be 
again at my post, with this warranty, that I am now too 
securely wedged up between the beams of the deck, to 
wander far from my station or subject. 

In some narrative of imprisonment, which I had read 
as occurring in the commencement of the present war, I 
was much distressed at the account, 'that the prisoners 
were confined in a place so low, as not to enable them to 
sit upright.' This appeared to me the most horrible of all 
human torments, and was constantly uppermost in my 
mind ; — not only while awake, but often in my sleep w T as 
I tormented with the terrible idea, of being compressed 
between too close a space to breathe, and would awake 
with a sense of suffocation and distress not easily de- 
scribed. My imagination has carried me on to the pitch 
of crawling beneath narrow places, to try if confinement 
in so cramped a space could be sustained, or that respira- 
tion were easy in so confined a situation ; but I received 
no relief from the experiment. 

This bugbear of the imagination at last wore off, and 
was entirely forgotten ; nor did it return to my torment, 
till the reality was experienced this first night of reposing, 
no, nor resting, nor sleeping, but smothering on board of 
his majesty's frigate Leander. I was not only in a place 
where I could not sit upright, but I was actually wedged 
in, face downwards, athwart ship, so that I could not turn 
upon either side, advance, or retreat, for the entire of my 
sixteen hours 'below deck.' I was, at each alternate roll 
of the ship, first nearly upright in position, and then, head 
on, as positively in a downright bad fix as I ever had been 
during my life, or ever wish to be again. Whilst keep- 
ing in view my 'fixed' position of the first sixteen hours 
below, the reader, if candid, must acknowledge, I use no 
arrogance in saying, my woes were not altogether either 
mental or imaginary. I really thought we must have 
passed days, if not weeks, in our uncomfortable stowage, 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 143 

before we were allowed to go on deck at eight o'clock the 
following morning, so slowly did time wear away in this 
vessel's dark and dismal hold. I had here a fair oppor- 
tunity of examining coolly and impartially, the difference 
of a practical and a theoretical confinement; and I sin- 
cerely hope my reader will not accuse me of a lack of 
judgment or a want of taste, when I gave the preference 
to the latter ; nor brand me with too great a presumption, 
if I suppose he must coincide with my decision at once, 
rather than wait till he has an opportunity to mature his 
judgment, whilst elucidating the practical part in the orlop 
deck of a hostile frigate. 

I had been quietly running over in my mind the various 
scenes I had passed through for the last fifteen days, so 
opposite to any thing I had ever before seen, or been en- 
gaged in, but could not persuade myself, even with the 
strong bias of my former propensity for the sea, in my 
favour, that my condition was in the remotest degree im- 
proved, or that my romantic notion of becoming a sailor, 
was like to benefit me in mind or body, by the turn events 
had taken ; and I was soothing myself with the consola- 
tion, that as bad as my situation was, I could not now 
better it, by grumbling and telling my troubles to others, 
only to be jeered and laughed at for my folly of going to 
sea; and had fully concluded to let my companions then, 
as I shall my readers now, remain in the dark as to my 
wishes or regrets, when I heard a voice faintly calling me 
by name. Glad was I, that it proceeded from my friend 
the Fifer, who was so near, that by converse we could 
while away some portion of the long and tedious night 
before us. 

He appeared so weak and faint at first, as scarcely to be 
able to recount his woes ; but by degrees his voice grew 
stronger, till, in his ire with the scurvy accommodations 
allotted us, he became the loudest talker in the hold. He 
was lying the third beam from me, on my larboard quar- 



144 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

•ter, and had the advantage of me in the height of his 
apartment by some inches, enabling him to ease his bones 
occasionally by change of position, which luxury was pro- 
hibited me, by the architectural beauties of mine. Every 
hour of that suffocating night did the Fifer recount his 
woes, and leave requests to be conveyed to his relatives, 
should any be so fortunate as to survive and return to their 
homes. 

'I know,' said he, 'as well as though I were dead alrea- 
dy, I shall not be alive in the morning, for no earthly be- 
ing can live here in this infernal dog's hole, where we are 
wedded in, as though never more to be moved. Who 
would not sooner be dead in a decent place, than but par- 
tially alive here, to be dying by inches. The man that 
can so far harden his heart as to confine one here, should 
be drummed out of the regiment. Had I a dog that was 
frothing with madness, I should be ashamed to put him in 
a hole like this dark dismal one we are smothering in. If 
the world does not come to an end, it is not because wick- 
edness is not abroad. I have sinned, and expect to sin 
more if I live through this night, but I will risk all here- 
after punishments, for none can come up to this. I should 
like to have those who sent me packing from home, to 
take a peep at what is left of me, in this dungeon of a 
place, and if their hearts would not burst, they are harder 
than I. believe them to be, and must be secured with 
leather casings.' 

These sentiments of the Fifer were not delivered in 
successive or regular continuance, but were given out as 
his ill humour suggested, in parcels and at intervals. In 
all his grumblings, which were many and often, he would 
wind up with a desire to have those at his home see, or 
know of his situation, as though he expected relief from it. 
Had he the many lives the antiquated saying has given 
the cat, with the faculty of renewing them at will, he 
would have expended them each hour of this, his first 



FIRST NrGHT BELOW. 145 

night below, if his assertions and predictions had but in 
part proved as 'he knew they would.' 

'Ah, the Fifer has taken his grumbling tackles on board,' 
said some one, nearer the hatchway than we were, 'and 
now we shall go off swimmingly with a ten-knot breeze 
to grumbleton port, where may the devil rest him, for dis- 
turbing those who wish to sleep.' 

'It is well for you, who have the advantage of a little 
air from the hatchway, to talk about sleeping, but here 
there is but one sleep, and that will be eternal.' 

'Tip us a stave upon your fife, man, and I will join in 
with a four-limbed reel, for I have room enough to show 
my graces on all-fours,' said another from a farther part of 
the hold. 

'You may have room for your antics, but you will be 
the only one to enjoy them, in this bedlam of utter dark- 
ness,' came from another, whose location was only known 
by guess. 

'If you want light, stick your thumb in the lee corner of 
your eye, and make it starlight.' 

'Were I within striking distance of that would-be dan- 
cing bear, I would insinuate a wipe across his smellers, 
that would afford him sparks of light for the next ten mi- 
nutes, at least.' 

These cut-and-thrusts were so frequent, as to prevent the 
Fifer's replying to the invitation, for him to regale the 
others with the beauties of his favourite instrument; and 
at the first gap in this buffetting of words, he came in with, 
'My fife is where I wish my poor carcass was, among 
the other armaments of the brig, instead of here rasping 
across the rough cable of the ship, at each roll she is con- 
stantly making, for my especial torment, in being so great 
a noddy to leave home, where now I might be snug and 
comfortable.' 

'But you can whistle, good Fife, which is better than 
your fifing, when your action is left out, as here it 
13 v.l 



146 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

must be ; for with your present position, you can imitate 
nothing but the frog in your leaps, to give force to your 
semiquavers. Try 'home, sweet home,' my man, 'twill 
ease you of a load of trouble ; or 'the girl I left behind 
me,' if it suits you better.' This was a sore thrust for 
poor Amos, who replied not ; but his audible sobs soon 
after told plainer than words, the wound this random shot 
had inflicted upon this simple but tender-hearted being. 

From present appearances, little sleep could be ex- 
pected this night, notwithstanding w r e were without any 
the whole of the one previous ; at least to me, as I was 
suffering with my usual nervous headach, made worse by 
the position in which I was lying, athwart ship. In vain 
were my exertions to undo my bedding, in my narrow- 
quarters, and I was compelled to submit, as best I could, 
to my uncomfortable berth, in which I was so cramped for 
room, that at no time could I turn upon either side, the 
breadth of my shoulders being greater than was the height 
of my apartment, from the circumstance of the cable 
nearly filling the hold. I resolved in my own mind, the 
next night, to make an exploration before locating, and if 
possible to pitch upon a better choice, if better could be 
found. Experience is valuable even in squatting ; but 
then I failed not so much by inexperience, as by heading 
the wrong way. 

Even as horrible as our situation was, one could not but 
listen to the rough jokes that were passing current among 
us ; and to listen, was but to be amused. I early learned 
to ward off the intended hoax, by meeting it with its like ; 
for as sure as the seamen found one, who would grumble 
or show temper at their jestings, so sure would they double 
the raillery upon his unfortunate head. But if all were 
taken in a friendly way, with a dove-tailing in of an occa- 
sional witticism, the joke fell harmless, or was passed on 
till it found a resting place with some one, who could not 
enjoy it, or who showed temper with the freedom taken 
with his infirmities or weak points. 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 147 

'Jim, Jim Taylor, where are you, old boy?' said a voice 
as if coming from a deep cell. 

'Holloa!' was sung out in a hollow tone, from a dis- 
tance, to the first speaker. 

'Whereaway, shipmate, and what cheer?' 

'Hard wedged in between the layers of the cable close 
upon a lee shore. If my old hulk isn't hogged by the 
morning, it will be no fault of the breakers underneath, 
which are doing their best to loosen the joints of my back 
bone, in their tender nudgings, to find out the most deli- 
cate parts in the neighbourhood of my kidneys. How 
gets you on, brother shipmate?' 

'Bravely, bravely, Jim, my boy ; but have a hard time 
of it, to find out the soft parts of the cable for my old 
craft to rest upon. If the rope ever part, it will be where 
it is chaffed by my starboard hip, which has now become 
so dull with its tough job, as to be of little further use in 
this way. Now I am trying, however, to get my larboard 
one to bear upon the same spot ; and its a pity, with a fresh 
onset, if I can't cut it quite in two by the morning, which 
will kick up no small breeze, when known to the officers 
above, that their best bower cable is parted in the middle.' 

'Why, Zeke, you may yet make yourself notorious, by 
applying to congress for compensation for disabling an 
enemy in their cruisings ; or rise to distinction by dangling 
at the yard-arm, for mischief done to the frigate's cable.' 

'Hush ! the marine who is sitting in the hatchway, 
will overhear your plannings, and will bring upon your 
knowledge box, some of the threatenings the old commo- 
dore so lavishly dealt out, in fear that damage might be 
done to his favourite cable, as we were on the way to this 
pig-sty of a roost.' 

'Oh, the old fellow was muzzy, and has forgotten before 
this, that any prisoners are on board, especially if he took 
a second pull at the monkey, which he deserved for his 
gentlemanly advice to us. My eyes, how I longed to tip 
him the good fellowship of a Turk's head, in the shape 



148 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

and fashion of four fingers, neatly rolled up and clenched 
with a thumb already too eager for mischief, by the length 
of time since it has seen play.' 

'Why didn't you exercise your hand a little? there 
were enough on each side to prevent foul play.' 

'Oh, a chap must sometimes swallow his own passion 
for convenience sake, or to show his gentility and high 
breeding. As for the lobster soldier in the hatchway, no 
fear of him, for he is fast dreaming of his pea-soup of to- 
morrow, the grog hour, or some such interesting affair, 
which to him is worth more than ten such cables as we 
are rocking upon.' 

'Pass a rope this way,' said some one near the marine, 
'and I will slip a noose over his hoof, make it fast below, 
so when the relief comes round, with his sudden jump, he 
will be brought down sprawling in the cable tier.' 

No rope could be found, or the trick would have been 
carried into execution, at least so far as to the fastening 
the cord to his foot. 

'Avast, there ! who is that eating, while all others are at 
their prayers ?' came from some one at the extreme left. 

'It's me of the lame arm — I have as nice a herring as 
ever need slip through the gullet of the best congress-man 
in the States.' 

'Ah, that manoeuvre of yours was clumsily done — 
nothing to boast of — spells clodpole in every way you 
may turn it. Had I been the sergeant, you should have 
walked up to the gangway, and been christened with a 
two-dozen dressing, for the bungling manner you pretend- 
ed to cheat.' 

'Not so bad as you suppose ; for the canvas was a breadth 
from the storm-staysail, which you know was burst the 
night before our capture, and was of no value ; but I saw 
the sergeant was only expecting canvas, so I kept my 
lame side next to him, gave it up willingly, and got off 
without having the other side examined, which was the 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 149 

one of real value after all, by being stuffed from shoulder 
to heel with the finest herrings ever yet ate, as I now can 
testify by the one on trial.' 

'I too was alike lucky,' said the Persian that was ; 'for 
the rich prize of the tall cap so turned the mumble-toney's 
brain, (if soldiers have brains, which is doubtful; or if any, 
so little, that they require as much more to know what use 
to make of that little, which, taken as a whole, is tanta- 
mount to their having none,) that he forgot there was any 
other part but the head to the man he was searching, and 
I secured the goodly things stowed beneath my waistcoat, 
such as slices of ham, chocolate, pilot-bread, and fixens 
of this sort, to a fair amount, enough to cause your worth- 
less herrings to blush at the comparison.' 

'Pass over a biscuit in exchange for one of my fish, and 
you shall have an opportunity to judge of your error.' 

'I found them inconvenient to carry about with me, and 
transferred them to my bag, which is on deck with the 
others.' 

•Where, if you see it again you will be more lucky than 
I think you are. It won't do for you to banter others 
about their clumsiness in this handiwork, when you can't 
take care of what is left you. The best advice I can give 
you, is, to go again to school, and finish your education so 
poorly begun. Stow your grub in your bag, for the sol- 
diers to pilfer ! indeed — why the greenest hand on board 
will shun you hereafter for a lubber.' 

'I thought it would be so,' came from the Loafer, who 
before this had not been heard, 'and so I brought my 
cheese with me; and to make safety doubly sure, I'm 
doing my best to stow it where none can find it; yet I'm 
beginning to think that without something to drink, I must 
adjourn my exertions to another period, however contrary 
to my usual mode of proceeding in business of this kind.' 

'Loafer, why did'nt you salute the sergeant with that 
smile of yours, before he lessened your bulk, for then he 
13* v.l 



150 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

would have let you pass by, hump and all, as he did after 
securing the hams.' 

'My smile was not voluntary, but arose from thinking 
how I had got the first taste, by a couple of pounds or so, 
from each ham. Had he left me but one of the two, I 
would have honoured him with a smile worthy to be 
looked at.' 

'If you have any thing more hideous to offer, than we 
have already seen, may this pitchy darkness never be less,' 
said Tom Garret, a personage of the Benbow fraternity, 
but for certain failures of memor}", was often called Long- 
bow Tom. 'Now, I was not more than six fathoms off, 
when you broke loose with your laugh, and I distinctly 
saw what you had eaten the night previous — there was 
ham, beef, bread and cheese, not to count the herrings 
and such other small fry, as were thrown in for chocks, 
sufficient to freight the frigate's long-boat ; all stowed 
away in the most careless manner ; so that with any other, 
the first roll of the ship would shift cargo in the hold, and 
make the craft lopsided the rest of the voyage.' 

A short he-uk ! ye-uk ! yuk ! yuk ! ya, ya, was heard in 
the direction of the Loafer, but whether voluntary, or by 
the way of practice for exhibition hereafter, I was not near 
enough to learn. 

'Avast there, you lumber-limbed yaw-haw, of creation's 
last making, from the remnants of thumbs and oakum, 
after all human kind had been completed,' rolled out from 
Cluegarnet Bob ; 'what in the name of cat's claws and 
grapplings, are you doing with my head, Mumble Tony 
Clodpole ? 

'Oh, is that your head? well I did'nt know it,' timidly 
faultered out Nimble Billy. 

'Here is a pretty sample of a simpleton to go to sea, 
who don't know the difference between the green noddle 
pate on his own shoulders, and that of a thirty years' ser- 
vice on shipboard ; and the quicker the world comes to an 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 151 

end the better, unless times alter. Now, Billy Simple, or 
whatever your name may be, just take a fool's advice and 
draw yourself off, where you can make no such mishap 
again, of mistaking my head for yours, or vice versa, else 
I'll work a traverse upon your carcass, that will cause 
your ghost ever after to take up its abode in this choice 
place, only fit for such likes as they, who live by dancing 
in other people's shape.' 

'Holloa, Bob ! I thought after the twisting you got from 
the two marines, when they unreeled your windings, that 
you would be quiet to-night at least; or was the sergeant's 
treat not strong enough to put yoiMto sleep V 

'May I be gorged with three-water-grog, the rest of 
my days, if it would' nt make any fellow grumpy, to be 
placed next to such trash, as this cow-heeled, scupper- 
mouthed clodpole, whose father was a dung-fork and 
mother a corn-sheller, and ashamed of their bantling at 
last — if matters don't mend, you will hear from me in my 
roughest state, if not, may I be blessed with being ridden 
with the night-mare forever after, and, to Nimble Billy's 
safety, Cluegarnet Bob was soon heard snoring. 

Thus was kept up joke upon joke, till the greatest 
portion of the night had passed, preventing those from 
sleeping who could. At last, the stench of the hole, and 
the suffocating effect of the confined air, began to sober or 
silence even the most roisterous. By four o'clock in the 
morning, not a word was spoken by the prisoners — all 
appeared to be subdued, by the horror of mind they were 
labouring under, and the wretchedness of their condition, 
which brought sufferings only to be imagined, for no pen 
can narrate our agonizing torments intelligibly to the 
reader. Many began at this early hour, to crowd near 
the hatchway, either to gain a breath of fresh air, or to be 
in readiness to be the first on deck, although it was known 
that we could not leave the hold tilL eight o'clock. As 
the light from the watch lantern above, cast its red glare 



152 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

through the hatchway, upon the anxious upturned coun- 
tenances, who were grouped beneath, looking up with a 
sickly hope of being relieved from their dismal place of 
suffocation and distress, I could but be struck by the 
earnestness of their gaze, as if they could, by intenseness 
of look, anticipate the time of release, or shorten the 
lagging hours of their misery; yet they knew very well, 
it was long, long before they could be relieved from the 
oppressive difficulty of breathing, from that horrid stench 
and noxious, deleterious, stagnant air, with which the v hold 
was filled, by being allowed to go on deck. Those who 
clustered under the hatchway, made their situation worse, 
by so closely huddling together, and suffered much more 
than the others, who kept farther apart, and remained 
quietly awaiting for the time to arrive which was to 
relieve them. 

I have dwelt longer, perhaps, upon the 'first night in 
the frigate's hold.' than the occasion warrants; but to me 
it has always been a subject for reflection ; and now, 
although more than a quarter of a century has intervened 
since these scenes occurred, my mind cannot turn towards 
that night, and trace out my feelings and sufferings, with- 
out a curdling chill of horror, usurping the place of all 
calm thoughts, which at times greatly impedes a free 
respiration. 

When the hour came for us to go on deck, had there 
been a band of savages in the rear, seeking our destruc- 
tion, there would not have been a greater rush to avoid 
being the last man in the hold of the frigate. 

On seeking the place, where we had left our baggage 
the night previous, we found nothing but the empty bags ; 
every thing else had been taken during the night, and 
was conveyed out of our sight. All that was left to me, 
was the belt to my great coat, a woollen stocking, one 01 
my 'go-ashore pumps,' and about a third of a sea biscuit 
The odd pump I held up and publicly offered to draw lots 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 153 

with the holder of its match, without exposing him, to say 
who should have the two. This offer, strange to say, was 
not accepted by the one who held my other slipper, caus- 
ing the Fifer to remark, 'the chap that took your shoe is no 
yankee, else he would jump out from the crowd with 
eagerness for a trade, regardless of consequences.' 

Again with the moiety of biscuit, I inquired, 'where is 
the stray mate (of cheese) to this disconsolate fragment 
of bread ?' but not a crumb of comfort could I receive 
from the inhuman separators, of what should ever be as 
one. By carefully discussing the matter of the bread 
alone, I learned the error of my school-boy days, of 
always supposing the words to be inseparable, notwith- 
standing the many striking examples I had received, to 
make my readings better; but previous habits, like here- 
tical doctrines, when long indulged in, are stubborn to 
remove, and nothing but practical demonstrations can 
eradicate them from the mind that has been warped by 
their influences. 

During the day I had occasion to leave my bedding 
but for a few moments, when, on my return, it too had 
vanished ; and the only answer I could get to my urgent 
and numerous inquiries, was, 'that it had gone to look for 
the contents of my clothes' bag.' I had stuck so closely 
to it till it was missing, as, not unlikely, to excite the 
curiosity of some light-fingered one, that there was value 
within, greater than the outward appearance warranted. 
Like most travellers, who are robbed, they first attract the 
eager eyes of the pickpocket, by constantly feeling if the 
parcel of value be safe, and thus make known where it is 
concealed. I regretted much losing my bedding; for I 
knew the loss would prove an inconvenience, and one that 
could not readily be repaired. My baggage I could do 
without, as I had a superabundance on my person, much 
to my inconvenience, but which I would rather endure, 
then run the risk of its 'going to look for my bedding.' 



154 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

I was not alone in having my blanket and hammock 
taken from me the second day after our being in the 
frigate. Many others fared like myself, and lost all but 
what they were standing in — few. however, had the same 
'stress' of clothing as I was sailing under ; for I still had 
the three suits and the heavy great-coat to carry about 
with me, and knew no better mode of securing them, 
than by keeping all on my back day and night. 

The second night below, I was more lucky in my wan- 
derings, and selected a place of comfort, compared to the 
one previous. This I was enabled to keep for the two 
weeks I spent in the frigate. Besides, my resting place 
was none the less pleasant, by being next to my friend the 
Fifer, as he possessed a kind spirit and none of that 
coarseness and vulgarity with which many of the others 
were constantly indulging. 

I now sensibly felt the loss of my hammock and 
blanket — not that I could have swung the former, as the 
space in height that I had chosen, was not more than 
twenty inches, but because I suffered most intolerably for 
the want of something between me and the rough twists 
of the cable underneath. I had likewise a thick double 
cap of lamb's wool, which relieved my head from the 
harsh rubbing upon the cable, but as the Fifer had lost his 
hat a day or two after coming on board of the frigate (by 
handing it to a by-stander to hold for a moment, while he 
was endeavouring for the fortieth time to 'bring a pail of 
water from the outside,') and had no covering for his 
head, I gave him the cap. From this time I had nothing 
but my hat to guard my head through the night. With 
this I could manage very avoII while awake, but the 
moment I slept, and the frigate rolled more than usual, 
the hat would slip from my head, leaving it to grate upon 
the cable, which would instantly awaken me. Thus night 
after night I only slept in snatches, of neither comfort nor 
rest. The lying upon the cable was compared by the 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. ]55 

Fifer, to the 'riding upon a load of wood over a rough 
road ;' and however homely the comparison, I know of 
none which will come nearer to the reality, with this dif- 
ference only ; — the one riding could take his choice of 
position, Avith the certainty of the motive power tiring 
sooner or later, while here but one posture, reclining, 
could be indulged in, with self-evident proof of tiring 
long before the ship should hold still. It was optional, 
however, for each one to vary his position, Avith as many 
twisting and turnings as his humour or uneasiness sua:- 
gested, whilst the variety Avas still more manifest, by each 
change appearing more painful than the last; for every 
new tAvist of the body seemed to partake so much of the 
nature of the cable, as to be a part and parcel of it, while 
the pain and irritation of the chafings Avere all upon 
one side. 

As the greater portion of our time was spent beloAv. 
Avhile in the frigate, I hope I shall be pardoned for giving 
more space to our doings therein, than Avhile on deck. 

Many of the first hours each night Avere spent by story- 
telling, singing, or 'rigging' each other, all endeaAouring 
to join, in some way most congenial to his inclinations and 
spirits, to help pass off the time easily, which in spite of 
our merry-makings, hung too heavily upon us. 

The singing Avas made up of such songs as seamen 
generally have by heart, and can rattle off from memory ; 
in general, detailing sea adventures, with a sprinkling of 
some love affair, to make them the more entertaining, and 
enough of the superstitious to insure their belief. By the 
quickness of the Fifer's ear, he Avas soon enabled to lead 
off* Avith any song that was sung to him once or twice ; 
and, to his other qualifications, he decidedly Avas the best 
singer on board, possessing a manly, clear, and highly 
musical voice. 

One night it Avas understood some of our naval victory 
songs Avere not well relished by the officers on deck, 



156 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

which only brought out others with a louder chorus than 
before, and an extra 'hurra for the yankee thunders.' At 
this, half a dozen of the best English songsters were 
picked, with some dozen to join in their choruses. These 
assembled around the hatch above us, for the purpose of 
silencing us, singing us down, or to rival us in noisy 
melody and patriotic verse. They were allowed to finish 
their song unmolested by us, but the moment they were 
through, we struck up with ours, each one striving to 
outdo his shipmate, especially in the choruses. Knowing 
that the character of our country was at stake, and that it 
depended much upon our zeal and good management, 
whether it should be upheld in the face of our enemies, 
we strove accordingly to do our best, as its representa- 
tives ; and I trust I shall be able to prove, for the benefit 
of coming generations, that our efforts were not entirely 
unrequited, or at least, enough was done for historians 
hereafter to give us a place — nay, we claim, as fearlessly 
earned, bravely gained, and dearly bought, a conspicuous 
niche in the temple of fame, among the titled dignitaries 
naval heroes, and military bull-dogs of renown, who have 
gone before us in times past, or may come after us in 
ages to come. 

The contest was kept up for some time, evidently to our 
advantage, not only as to the quality of the singing, (for 
in this, our opponents could not hold their own a moment, 
in comparison with us,) but to the number and subject of 
the songs ! they having run out with their victories over 
the 'yankees,' before our party were fairly warm with the 
contest. That they should not ilag in the game, they took 
up with the 'First of June,' the 'Battle of the Nile,' be- 
sides many others, in which we felt no national interest, 
and did not fail giving them the hint, in plain English, 
that they were dodging the contest, as first agreed upon. 
This they cared far less for, than they did for a home- 
thrust victory over them, from the 'yankees,' to each one 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 157 

of theirs over the French. At last our fire became so 
warm, that they were compelled to back out of the contest 
chop-fallen ; and they had the satisfaction of having their 
defeat announced to all on board, by three-times-three 
cheers from the victors below, accompanied with the clap- 
ing of hands, and such other noises as each and all could 
invent, in our zeal to outdo one another, and uphold the 
honour of the country we hailed from, whose emblem is 
the stars and the stripes. 

Word came from the deck, that such noises could not 
be tolerated, and that we must be quiet. This only roused 
the prisoners to greater exertions, making what was sing- 
ing before, yellings now, as discordant as sixty loud throats 
could make them, each tuned upon a key peculiarly his 
own, with no vent whereby the hoarse bawlings and loud 
noises could escape, only upwards through the hatchway, 
when, as it found freedom from the pressure it had under- 
gone whilst forcing its way out, it spread proportionably 
throughout the ship. In a few minutes, the officer of the 
deck came down with blustering threats, 'that if order was 
not kept in the hold, means would be resorted to of an 
unpleasant nature.' 

If the most savage tribe of Indians in North America 
had at once broken loose with the terrific war-whoop, it 
could not have been louder nor more grating to the ear, 
than the screamings that followed the termination of the 
watch officer's speech, who, when he could get a hearing, 
tried to reason as to the absurdity of the prisoners persist- 
ing in this unequal contest, saying, 'the order of the ship 
must and shall be maintained — if by no other means, I 
will order the marines to fire into the hold, and when too 
late, you will learn your folly.' Had the advice been 
tendered previous to the threatenings, it might have had 
the desired effect of cooling the mad brains of those in 
the hold, but now it was too late, the advice and threats 
alike were sent back with the utmost scorn and contempt. 
11 v.l 



158 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

One near the hatchway, who could be distinctly heard 
on the berth-deck above, followed the termination of the 
officer's speech ; — 

'Crack away, my Johnny, you can make killing no 
murder, but you can't easily mend the shot-holes in your 
best bower cable.' 

'If he mends his manners he'll have task enough, with- 
out troubling himself with the cable.' 

'Yes, patchwork is bad enough in the whole, and not 
easily mended by a swabber.' 

Is it to be a pop-and-let-alone running fire, or a regu- 
lar crasher, and-be-done-with-it ?' 

'If your fire be no more effective than when in chase 
of the brig, a penny a shot, pay as you go, and you may 
fire away till you fall in with the Constitution, when she 
will pay you back with interest, or ease you of the trouble 
of taking your ship into port, as she has done to two of 
your frigates already.' 

'Yes,' said another, 'you were deliberating when and 
where to fire on Lake Erie, and before making up your 
mind, you were following in Perry's wake, with your 
colours second from the top, at the peake.' 

'Hurrah ! for old Ironsides.' 

Three cheers ! for the gallant Perry.' 

'Down here, you Johnny Bull, and learn manners from 
your betters.' 

Many such expressions were pouring forth from every 
side, in various keys and many voices, when the officer 
withdrew, and his retreat was greeted as were the discom- 
fited singers, with nine hearty good cheers. I expected 
unpleasant consequences to follow immediately after his 
leaving the hatch, as did all those whose mad excitement 
left them senses enough for a moment's sober thought ; but 
we were not disturbed in our enjoyments for the remain- 
der of the night. The singings, hootings, and yellings 
were kept up till the morning broke, not allowing the 



FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 159 

ward-room officers a moment's rest, as they were situated 
on the deck immediately above us, and their location was 
such as not in the least to screen them from the din and 
racket underneath. 

We were told the next day, that we should be provided 
for, if we persisted in disturbing the ship's company in 
their rest, as we had the night previous. But nothing 
daunted by the hint thrown out, when the prisoners went 
below most were in high glee, with a full determination 
for a similar frolic to the one just narrated. 

The songs and choruses had progressed as usual, with- 
out any notice being taken of our proceedings, for two 
hours or more, when all at once a dozen shot of the 
largest size, forty-four pounders, were let loose on the 
deck above us, and left free to roll with the motion of the 
ship, the live-long night. Scantling were so fixed on the 
deck, as to confine the orbit of the rolling shot within our 
range ; and, as they passed from one side to the other, at 
each roll of the frigate, with a low, harsh, thunder-like 
rumbling, as deafening as dreadful, and more horrible than 
the booming of ten thousand Chinese gongs, intermingled 
with as many bell-clappers, set in motion by one who is 
sworn to drown all else by his own noisy clatter, they 
were brought suddenly to a stand, when coming to the 
scantling, with a jar and noise but little less than a dis- 
charge of small artillery. In this there was no variation, 
except as they came in contact with each other, when the 
sharp snap of the balls meeting, was enough to split the 
brain of us who were underneath the deck, with the ad- 
vantage of the planks immediately above our heads, to 
convey and magnify the rumbling noise, as a sounding- 
board, a hundred fold. 

Many were determined to brave it out, and let those on 
deck know that they still had the same party to deal with, 
who, the night previous, had come out of the contest 
so proudly victorious ; for, 'unscathed was every feather 



160 FIRST NIGHT BELOW. 

in their lordly plumes.' Some strove hard to keep up the 
power of song! — but the power of the cold shot was the 
greater. Some jeered, laughed, and joked ! — the rolling 
shot were impervious to all such inducements to quit their 
noise, anrf?be done with their foolishness. Some swore, 
raved, and damned ! — the shot went booming on, stupidly 
dead to every alluring blandishment for them to turn in 
and be quiet. Some hallowed, yelled, and whooped ! — 
on came the shot, as doggedly indifferent to the command 
to cease their rumblings, as they manifested fear of the con- 
sequences. Some blustered, threatened, and stormed! — 
still rolled the shot, as stoically unconcerned of danger 
as though at their legitimate employment. Some sighed, 
groaned, and roared ! — rumble-bump ! went the shot, utter- 
ly callous to any wily enticements or wicked devices, for 
them to stay their steps, cease their roaming, and deign to 
turn aside, to assuage the throbbing ears of the afflicted. 
The singers, the jokers, the swearers, the whoopers, the 
stormers, and the roarers ! one by one dropped off, till the 
whole were silenced, and all was hushed, — not a sound 
was to be heard, save these dull heavy messengers of their 
anguish, which kept rolling their unceasing rounds, with 
their loud, monotonous rumblings, never to be quiet for an 
instant, creating torments only fit for the damned. 

I have somewhere read, that the greatest punishment 
yet put upon the human frame, was, that of being placed 
in a confined situation, where water was slowly but con- 
stantly dropping by single drops, upon the bare head. 
But I am sure, the originator pf this assertion could never 
have been in the situation w\ were this night, when in 
the frigate, with the shot rollrig over the planks of the 
deck so near our heads, or elle he would have qualified 
his assertion, by making this an exception to his water 
dropping. 

Ever after, if we continued our songs later than ten 
o'clock, the shot were sent rolling till our songs ceased; 



THINGS IN GENERAL WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 1GI 

an accompaniment neither agreeable to the performers nor 
melting to the hearers, and which we were glad to dis- 
pense with, even at the expense of our losing the reputa- 
tion we had so fearlessly gained, by the display of our 
vocal talents, under the very thunder of England's hea- 
viest armament, whose deafening roar, was only equalled 
by its never ceasing roll, which slackened not, till her 
every opponent lay low in silence. 



CHAP. XI. 

THINGS IN GENERAL WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 

Soon after being a prisoner, my indisposition I found 
to be of a more serious nature than the usual sea-sickness, 
such as the other green hands had suffered with, but of 
which they were by this time rid, having gained their 
wonted strength. Each morning when crawling on deck, 
from the unquiet sleep of the past night, in the loathsome 
hold wherein we had been kept, I felt myself becoming 
weaker and weaker, and less able to exert myself to action. 
My nervous headache had also become so exceedingly 
aggravated, as at times to cause fear that I should be 
crazed. My appetite did not return in the least, and the 
little I ate, was without relish to the taste or nourishment 
to the body. However, on this score I did not suffer so 
much as those who had their health and full appetites, 
without the means of satisfying the latter ; for the little 
we were allowed as prisoners, was not sufficient to content 
any man in health. 

We were put upon an allowance of 'six upon four;' 
which means, six prisoners were allowed the same rations, 
spirits excepted, (the which we had none,) as four of the 
14* v.l 



1G2 THINGS IN GENERAL 

men of the frigate ; a rule of long standing in the British 
naval service. The cocoa, given us in the morning about 
two-thirds of a pint to each man, well sweetened, was nour- 
ishing, and the only warm beverage we had taken since 
the night of our leaving port. To me this cocoa was a 
cordial beyond price, and so much did I feel relieved after 
partaking of it each morning, I was fully convinced, that 
all I required was wholesome food and quietness to recruit 
my strength and spirits, already nearly exhausted. 

The manner this pittance was given to each of us, made 
it of less value than otherwise it would be; or had we 
conveniences to husband the little granted us, that little 
would have been of far more service. For instance, at 
eight o'clock the usual allowance of hot cocoa was put 
in a small tub, to be divided among the mess, as we could 
a°Tee with ourselves. As some had neither tin pot nor 
spoon, they had to take their slops, as did our first parents, 
by dipping their bills into the mess-kid, and suck it up 
as best they could, or be indebted to the loan of a mess- 
mate's porringer, when its owner had finished his repast, 
and be content to sip his cocoa, after it had cooled and 
become valueless. As little as I knew of privateering, I 
had provided myself with those necessary utensils, pot, 
spoon, and jacknife,* and had not to wait till others had 
eaten, for the scanty portion of the meal allotted to my 
share. 

As I was saying above, had we conveniences to put any 
portion of our provisions by, it would have gone farther 
than to swallow all at once as it was given to us. "With 

* I was lately taken quite aghast, by the scullion making her 
appearance, with a stormy aspect, threatening to relinquish her task, 
unless furnished with better toob ; saying, 'dis won't do, no how, for 
it bruk da fust hoister I stuk, an' twon't stan hammenn a barnakul,' 
exhibiting to my gaze this only relict of my cruisings, minus its 
point. It has since been secured, where no menial hands can hence- 
forth put it to such undignified use. 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 163 

the cocoa came our bread, which was generally devoured 
for the purpose of securing it, as soon as obtained, leaving 
the salt junk alone to be eaten at twelve o'clock, which, 
without either bread or vegetables, created a thirst more 
tormenting, than the hunger it was intended to relieve, 
without the possibility of the thirst being alleviated, by the 
small quantity of water we were allowed while on deck, 
and not having a drop for the sixteen hours we remained 
below. 

I suffered nothing from hunger as those did in health, 
but for the want of water, my torments at times were 
excruciating ; and I was wasting and pining fast away for 
the aid of some nourishment or medicine that would 
strengthen me. Of this I was fully sensible, by a trivial 
circumstance which I will relate, if for no other reason, 
than to hold in remembrance a philanthropic kindness 
shown by one stranger to another. 

I had been more than usually unwell through the day, 
and had early gone below as far as the hatch, which led 
to my sleeping hole, anxious to lay myself down, gain a 
little quiet, however bad was the resting place, and I felt 
careless whether it were the last or not. While waiting 
for the few minutes to expire, before being permitted to 
go below, one of the hands, who was taking his night 
meal, came up to me, sipping his tea and eating his hard 
biscuit, and, after a few moment's conversation, asked if I 
would join him with his supper. I replied, I had no 
desire for eating, but that I would be more than thankful 
for a drink of his tea. The kind-hearted fellow prepared 
for me a pint bowl to the brim, of the same, hot and well 
sweetened, which I drank with a relish the reader can 
little imagine. I never have felt so instantaneous relief 
from the effects of either cordial or medicine, as after 
swallowing the tea given me by this generous seamen. I 
was another person in spirits from what I had been 
through the day ; partook with hilarious glee in the song 



104 THINGS IN GENERAL 

singings and joking frolics of my shipmates in adversity; 
and became so jovial, that some one observed, I must 
have made acquaintance with the skipper, and 'had an 
invite to the after cabin/ by the uproarousness of my 
conduct, compared to my late inertness. I regretted that 
I could not afterwards make out this generous-hearted 
individual from among the numerous crew, in order to 
thank him for the kindness shown to one, in whom 
he could have no interest, except the gratification of 
indulging a kind feeling of the heart, and displaying a 
generosity of soul, planted there by his Maker, who re- 
wards to the fullest extent, either here or hereafter, the 
giver according to his ability to give. 

The first Sunday after being in the frigate, all hands 
were piped to quarters, and afterwards to attend prayers. 
It was customary, while the men were at quarters, for the 
commander to inspect them, as to their cleanliness, dress, 
and uniforms, a ceremony attended Avith much pomp and 
parade by the officers, and of much preparatory shaving, 
scrubbing, and trimming up, on th.e part of the men ; for 
wo was it to the delinquent, who was deficient of a clean 
chin, nice trim, or a Sunday [parade] dress. If the latter 
was wanting, the shabby one must stay below, out of 
sight, till the inspection was over, as no excuse was taken 
for deficiences of this sort at reviews. 

The day was exceedingly boisterous, with a heavy sea 
running, causing the frigate to roll to such a degree, that 
but few could keep their feet on deck with either comfort 
to themselves or grace to the beholder. Although it was 
usual to have ropes stretched from gun to gun around the 
quarter-deck, for those to steady themselves by occasion- 
ally, who were doing duty thereon, this day they were 
stretched entirely around the upper deck, of a convenient 
height to hold by. 

The prisoners were placed forward upon the forecastle 
to be as far as possible from observation, being no doubt 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 1G5 

a disgrace for so respectable a squad to encounter, as 
was going the rounds of the deck. All being in readi- 
ness, or rather the moment arriving, when the commodore 
should leave his cabin, a flourish of the bugle was given, 
starting every soul at quarters, a full inch higher than 
nature intended them to measure, and brought the com- 
modore in full view, followed by his numerous retinue, 
according to seniority. After inspecting the larboard 
waist, he continued round on the forecastle, till he came 
face to face with the prisoners, who had the range of the 
booms to perch upon, as well as a part of the forecastle 
deck to perambulate. 

As we, from time immemorial, have heard much of the 
high-souled, gentlemanly conduct of Old England's dis- 
tinguished commissioned lords, I feel it my dut} r to cast in 
my mite — not that it may add or take from the renown 
of this order decorated veteran, but because his conduct 
struck me at the time as being (in vulgar parlance) 'wery 
pecoolier.' In the following, I will endeavour to give as 
plain a statement of what occurred, as memory will per- 
mit, promising to add nothing but what was said or done. 

When confronting the prisoners, Sir Commodore draws 
up with a magisterial air, and gruffly demands, 

'Who have we here?' 

His second in command, touching his hat, said, 

'The American prisoners, that lately belonged to the 
prize we last took.' 

'Ah, yes; and we'll have every damn'd yankee in the 
country yet,' turning towards the body of the prisoners, 
we have a strong place in England built only for such as 
you, where you shall be kept your life-time, every bugger 
of ye. What's the name of the place where such fellows 
as these are confined?' directing his inquiry to his suite. 

'Castle William,' said one — 'Dartmoor,' another — 'Mill 
Prison,' said a third, afid many other names were given, 
each desirous of mentioning a place where we could be 
lodged in safety. 



1G6 THINGS IN GENERAL 

'Castle William is the best place ; that will hold all in 
the country,' returned the commodore. Suddenly altering 
his tone, he burst upon one in his front, with the force 
and unexpectedness of a rocket, 

'You are an Englishman, and shall be hung for being 
taken in arms against your countrymen ! — you whelp ! — 
who are youV raising his voice as he proceeded, till it 
reached its height at the termination, and breaking with 
the angry and overflowing spleen of the speaker, either 
in earnest, or well assumed for effect. 

This philippic and heinous charge was directed to a 
diminutive man, who stood directly in front of the 
commodore, in red flannel shirt, woollen cap, and tarry 
trousers, being: all he had saved from the successful 
night's depredations of the frigate's crew ; and was as un- 
like an Englishman, as an egg is unlike a piece of chalk 
in its most angular form. He was at best but a scant 
pattern of nature's doings, both in height and breadth of 
beam — by trade a tailor, and just out of his apprenticeship. 
Allotting him his full inheritance, the entire ninth, before 
the notice taken of him by the exalted of England's boast, 
he instantly dwindled, or rather the ninth shrunk to the 
lowest decimal that the trade stands to the whole man — 
his eyes excepted, which gathered size as the surrounding 
parts grew less, till not much else was left above the 
shoulders, to substantiate his birth and parentage. As 
soon as he could collect a sufficiency of breath to make 
his voice audible, which he had been gasping to accom- 
plish, as long as it takes to narrate the circumstance from 
where the commodore's explosion ended, he said: 

'My name is Nathan Slocum — I was born and always 
lived in the town of Boston — where my mother now is ; — 
I am a tailor by trade-ah ! and never was from home 
before-ah! in my life-ah!' delivered mechanically, with a 
shaking fear at the dire threatemngs of the rough old 
commodore — redoubling the gaspings at the termination 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 167 

of each sentence, with a spasmodic stretching of the 
neck, that made some believe he was thus early trying 
to accommodate it to the height of the yard-arm above. 

'You lie ! — you are an Englishman, as I can tell by 
your eye ; — it is no more than you deserve, to string you 
up to the yard-arm, and hang you for a traitor as you 
are — to warn others how to behave ; but we will wait till 
we arrive in England, where you shall get your deserts, 
and where we will soon have all the yankees in the coun- 
try — every damn'd * * * * of 'em ;' and moved off, 
muttering, 'we'll fix 'em — take the whole of 'em — keep 
'em on bread and water for life, damn 'em.' 

The poor tailor stood petrified, with a ghastly fear de- 
picted upon his countenance, and his frame shaking as 
with an ague fit, till he was brought-to by some one slap- 
ing him upon his back, and telling him to 'haul taut his 
eye backstays, or he would pitch all forward.' 

The boast of England's pride, with his suite, continued 
his review previous to prayers. He had gone through 
with all but the marines, and had just begun with them, 
when the further ceremony was dispensed with for the 
day, by a circumstance as ludicrous as it was unmilitary. 

The marines were drawn up in a line lengthwise on the 
quarter-deck, about sixty in number, without arms, for the 
better purpose of balancing themselves to the roll of the 
frigate. I had for some time been watching them, and 
was no little engaged with their swayings to and fro, in a 
body as but one, thinking at times it was impossible for 
them to keep their feet, at the alternate slanting of the 
deck under them. Just as the commodore was prepared 
for their inspection, and but a step from their front, a 
heavy sea struck the frigate at her upward roll, causing 
her to lay over much more than usual, and threw the 
whole body of marines, to a man, to the further side of 
the deck, from where their line was drawn up ; taking 
with them such of the commodore's suite as happened to 



168 THINGS IN GENERAL 

be in the direct course of this sweeping avalanche of red 
coats, blue trousers, feathered caps, pipe clay and cross 
belts ; — all tumbled helter-skelter, pell-mell — officers, sol- 
diers, sailors and boys, with no regard to seniority as to 
precedence — the whole went crumbling together to the 
leeward, there to separate as best they could. This put a 
stop to the farther inspection for the day, nor did they 
attempt to dress the marines in line again till the gale 
abated. Many were more or less hurt — three having to 
be carried below and placed under the surgeon's care. 
The commodore, not having advanced so far as to fall in 
with this sweeping current of human bodies, held his 
footing with the aid of the rope rove for the purpose. 
The scene was unique and truly laughable, so much as 
to raise a broad yaw-haw among the prisoners, and a smile 
upon the faces of such of the frigate's crew as dared to 
show they were pleased ; besides, I saw r many of the 
petty officers busy with their handkerchiefs to their faces, 
when it was plain they were not in search of their noses, 
as they were bobbing up and down, in unison with their 
heads, faster than the shaking wipers could follow. The 
petrified tailor was interested for the first time since the 
commodore had so signally noticed him above his ship- 
mates in adversity, by his saying, T would give the best 
sleeve in my coat, if they had taken the old commodore 
along to leeward with them.' Some one observed he 
might afford a more generous offer, as by the old fellow, 
by chance, becoming crippled, he would escape the im- 
pending fate in store for him. Whether the tailor pro- 
fitted by the suggestion, the deep respect in which I hold 
the trade, ever will compel me to remain silent, maugre 
all inquiries. The curiosity of Nimble Billy was likewise 
excited, with this certainty as to its cause, that he ex- 
claimed, 'I never seed the likes of that in my born days.' 
With no assurance, however, he would not expect the 
same occurrence to take place at the next review, as a 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 1G9 

part of the ceremony pertaining thereto, so unutterably 
strange was every thing he had encountered since his 
leaving home, and opposite to that expected by him, in 
his 'vige to earn something the coming winter.' 

I too had a 'lee lurch,' which came near proving fatal, 
during the tossing about of this worst of all rolling frigates. 
It was banyan-day, which means 'no meat for dinner;' 
but in lieu thereof, we had flour given us, which by mix- 
ing with water and a few raisins, together with six hours 
boiling, made a tolerable pudding, or 'dough,' (duff, as 
generally termed on shipboard ;) but were a t to supplant 
the d in the word, (as no doubt originally intended,) its 
name would then comport with its nature, and it w r ould 
have rendered this explanation on my part unnecessary ; 
for as far as solidity and toughness went, the article in 
question was perfection itself. 

The mess had just divided the whole of one day's allow- 
ance into parts enough for each to have his exact portion, 
even to the 'ninth part of a hair.' I had taken mine and 
thrust the handle of my iron spoon through it, with the 
intention of nibbling around it, to make a long dinner 
from my short allowance ; and was standing on the gun- 
deck between two guns, where we had spread our 'cloth' 
for the dinner, with my back opposite the main hatch, 
which was open. 

As I was saying, to lengthen my allowance, I first fan- 
cied its angular shape incongruous, and began chipping 
away till I had an exact square ; when a freak told me a 
globular form was the more becoming, with less variation 
if viewed from different points ; — now, after shaving its 
corners to its desired ball-shape, with a prodigal waste of 
material that alarmed me, imagination said an oblong 
was an architectural order easily measured ; but, as this 
required a greater using up of stock than the last trans- 
formation, I was debating in my mind if some other shape 
would not be as acceptable to its proprietor, without so 
15 v.l 



170 THINGS IN GENERAL 

wickedly lessening its bulk, when, as I was swaying back- 
ward and forward, to preserve my balance, a sea struck 
the vessel, precisely as when the marines were thrown to 
leeward. I felt I was going, and made a whirling spring, 
so as not to come down upon my back ; and so slanting 
was the deck, that I touched nothing till I fell directly 
over the hatchway, with my feet hanging by the combing 
around it on one side, while my left hand and arm rested 
against the cable, which was run up from the hold below, 
about amidships on the one side of the hatch. The 
frigate at the instant brought up, easing my fall, otherwise 
I should have gone through the open hatches beneath, a 
depth of more than twenty feet. A by-stander relieved 
me from my perilous situation, my position not allowing 
me the use of myself in the least, and it was likewise 
such as not enabling me to maintain for an instant — the 
next roll would have sent me headlong to the hold below. 

When I recovered my upright position, the deck was 
strewed with every thing movable. Many of the men 
were more or less hurt, who had not fallen half the dis- 
tance that I had ; for from where I was standing, between 
the guns, to the hatchway, was not less than eighteen feet, 
the whole of which was I thrown, without being in the 
least the worse for the fling;, except that my day's allow- 
ance with its handle, had continued their tumblings to the 
bottom of the ship, where nothing but an especial Provi- 
dence had prevented me from following. It was a matter 
of thrilling astonishment to the by-standers, that I was not 
dashed to atoms among the rubbish of the hold. 

However reluctant to pitch headforemost to the third 
deck below, on learning the direction of my 'duff' and 
spoon, no unfortunate wight with his fresh sprouting horns, 
ever followed his peace destroyer and his gay paramour. 
with greater zeal and alacrity, than I did these stray ones, 
without stopping to care whether the pudding had been the 
enticer of the spoon, or whether the latter by its sly ogling. 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 171 

had been the gay deceiver, enough that they were off, for 
me to follow in their wake. I found the spoon only, those 
below averring nothing else had come down. The 'duff' 
being of the things that allowed stowing in places un- 
searchable, was beyond my reach, I concluded, like 
Launcelet Gobbo, that 'I must fast another day,' which, 
when thrown into the aggregate of our fastings, was not 
worth the notice of remembrance. 

While speaking about the rolling of this frigate, I will 
merely say, that I have repeatedly seen the New-Castle's 
keel, when sailing by the side of her, and she was said to 
roll less than the Leander. This was occasioned, as was 
said on board, by her high masts, heavy spars, and full 
tier of guns, forty-four pounders, on her spar deck. I 
have often pressed her leeward shrouds together, till they 
would touch, with the bending of her mast by the force of 
the wind. This rolling and pitching about made the duty 
on board extremely irksome and laborious to the crew, 
especially during the continuance of the three or four days 
that the gale lasted. Although she had a complement of 
more than five hundred men, still, all hands were called 
as often as any thing gave way, or whenever any extra 
duty was to be performed. Her sails and rigging were of 
the heaviest order, totally unmanageable with a few hands, 
and but slowly handled with the many. I once whilst the 
wind was freshly blowing, counted ninety-six at the main- 
sheet, which was run down, and stretched along the gun- 
deck ; and even then, they found it difficult in sheeting 
home the sail. Again, I saw as many as could lay upon 
the main-yard, more than half an hour clewing up the 
mainsail, notwithstanding the men were hurried on by the 
officers on deck, with threats and oaths as is usual in such 
cases when their mandates are tardily executed. 

During the buffetings about in this gale, the frigate car- 
ried away one of her boom-irons at the main-yard, that 
was broken short off; to mend which, it appeared, was a 



172 THINGS IN GENERAL 

job that required additional aid to the blacksmiths already 
belonging to the frigate. The offer of full allowance was 
made to our armourer, provided he would assist in its 
welding, and by him the offer was gladly accepted. This 
it afterwards appeared was tantamount to volunteering into 
their service. Instead of going to prison, the armourer 
was retained on board of the frigate, and not only kept at 
full allowance of 'grub,' but was plied with double allow- 
ance of duty. The same offer was made to our Fifer, 
(who, when they had asked him his age, name, &.c. gave 
them his former occupation, and began to branch out with 
his pedigree, till told, 'that will do,') but with different 
effect; for he drew himself proudly up, and boldly said, 

T have always been a staunch democrat, as was my 
father before me, whilst fighting against you in the last 
war, — he taught me to hate the English worse than a 
kicking horse ; and if your boom-irons, as you call them, 
are not welded till I blow the bellows or swing the 
sledge, you will cruise without them,' muttering in his 
anger at the very thought of working for the 'British, who 
had feloniously taken from him his fife, and stowed him 
in a hole not tit for a worthless skunk to burrow in.' 

The Leander was built expressly to cope with the Ame- 
rican frigates, and was equipped in the most complete or- 
der, having experienced officers, and a picked crew from 
the best men in the service, numbering upwards of five 
hundred. Yet I have seen the crews of our frigates while 
in harbour, go through with the dut) r of making and taking 
in sail, in much shorter time than I ever did those of the 
Leander ; as likewise, when at quarters and exercising 
their guns, the latter were much less expert than the for- 
mer. Her bulwarks were exceedingly high, but would 
not bear a comparison with those of the Constitution as to 
thickness or strength, the Leander's being of light fir, 
while the planks of the former were of live oak. Had 
they encountered each other, there would have been no 
fear of the result. 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 173 

la a general conversation a question was put to a junior 
officer, who was near by, asking what disposition would be 
made with the prisoners, if an engagement should take 
place between his frigate and the Constitution ? 

If in the day time,' said he, 'you will be placed upon 
the booms on the upper deck, to see how your country- 
men direct their fire in comparison to ours, and keep tally 
which oftener hit ; if at night, you will be kept below, to 
be in readiness to pass the word up, when the ship is in a 
sinking condition.' 

After a consultation among ourselves, and a slight 
glancing at the hazard we should be exposed to ; lest the 
Constitution's sharp-shooters might not recognize us as 
countrymen of theirs, in their usual hurryings in matters 
of this kind, in order to excel each other in the quickness 
of their firing, and the amount of execution, it was voted 
by a very respectable majority, 'that it was inexpedient to 
fall in with the Constitution.' 

I was one day standing on the gun-deck, seeing the 
pursers squad cutting the pork into pieces of proper sizes 
for the next day's allowance, when I was suddenly caught 
by one of the men in attendance, and sent whirling half 
the breadth of the deck, without the least provocation on 
my part, as I was neither in their way nor hindering them 
from their work. I turned and was going back to demand 
the reason of such roughness to one, who had harmed 
them not: but feeling a lump in my side, which I was 
convinced could not be caused bv a blow, although it 
might have arisen from the rough handling of the meat- 
chopper, I thought it best to investigate the cause and 
effects in a cool, dispassionate manner, rather than kick up 
a dust, or beard the lion in his den, and demand an apo- 
logy at a more suitable opportunity. Upon examination, 
I found the lump consisted of a piece of fat pork, of at 
least three pounds in weight, which this generous hearted 
fellow had thrust inside my jacket, covering the kindlv act 
15* v.l 



174 THINGS IN GENERAL. 

with the semblance of the roughness aforesaid, at the risk 
of being brought to the gratings at punishment day, for 
cribbing from the frigate's stores. 

This was seasonable, and of value beyond price, fully 
compensating me for the ample coating of grease and slush 
that it left adhering to my inner garments, for with a thin 
slice broiled upon the point of my knife, and a hard bis- 
cuit, I could take my lunch with a relish but little known 
to those who have never been deprived of their regular 
three meals per day. But this windfall proved a greater 
relief as a curative, than as the stamina of life ; for how- 
ever absurd it may sound, that pork should be used in a 
medicinal way, nothing of the kind being found in our pre- 
sent pharmacopeia, yet in one instance, I can bear witness 
of receiving the greatest benefit from its application, other- 
wise than as a leading adjunct to either of those never- 
cloying dishes, beans, greens, or hominy. 

While below one night, I was seized with the ear-ache, 
that most troublesome of all pains, when severe, as was 
mine, and could get neither rest nor sleep, at times think- 
ing I must go mad with agony. Towards morning 1 be- 
thought me of the residue of the pork in my pocket, which 
I took out in the dark, and with my knife shaped a piece 
as well as I could, thrusting it with desperation deep into 
my aching ear, and in a short time I felt relieved, the pain 
lessening gradually till it entirely ceased, allowing me to 
take a comfortable nap before going on deck. From that 
night to the present time, I have never been troubled with 
the ear-ache, nor used pork otherwise than as a christian 
should use it. 

On the morning of the sixth of January, a brig was 
seen in the distance, and the squadron was headed towards 
her. On nearing the strange sail, no little curiosity was 
excited to learn what she could be ; for she was yawing 
about in the wind, with but a part of her fore-topsail set, 
some of her other sails flapping with the wind in a ragged 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 175 

state, her maintop-gallantmast gone, as likewise were all 
her lighter spars. She was supposed to be a vessel aban- 
doned, till a nearer approach showed us her men moving 
about the deck. When within hail, she was ordered to 
heave-to, and send a boat on board of the commodore. 
The answer was, that all were drunk except one man and 
a boy, who were unable to heave-to or lower the boat. 
One was sent from the commodore, and took possession of 
her. She proved to be a prize, captured seven weeks 
previous by a privateer from New York, with a cargo of 
goods invoiced at $70,000, manned with a prize crew, 
who had orders to reach any port in the United States, 
with the greatest possible expedition. The brig had at 
one time been within six hours of reaching the harbour of 
Portsmouth, N. H. ; but the prize-master had abandoned 
all other considerations for the bottle, the crew following 
their superior in his debauchery and drunkenness, with 
the exception of the man and boy before mentioned, till 
from drifting about, they knew not where they were ; and 
from soon after being captured till falling in with the fri- 
gates, the duty w r as left to these two alone, who were 
almost exhausted, neither being able to go aloft. 

The brig had drifted from off Portsmouth, to near the 
Western Islands ; for the sober man said he had not at- 
tempted to keep headway on her, any further than was 
necessary for her safety during high winds. Had thev 
been left to themselves three days longer, when a severe 
gale commenced and continued seventy hours, every soul 
must have perished, for the brig never could have weath- 
ered it. 

When the prize-master was brought on board of the 
frigate, he was just in that glorious state of uncertainty, 
as to totter without falling, be impudent without being 
dangerous, and know every thing, without having sense 
enough to know he was, or had been drunk. He de- 
manded audience with the commodore, saying 'he had 



176 THINGS IN GENERAL 

seen such tricks before, but he was no green-horn, he 
could smoke 'urn, in spite of their red-coated marines — its 
all flam, flummery, no go — I want to see the commodore, 
old Decatur himself — he knows me and I know him — we 
were school boys together — he arn't agoing to detain an 
old shipmate with a valuable prize, who is endeavouring 
to reach port.' He was still under the belief that this was 
the American frigate United States, under the command 
of Decatur, shamming English colours and exteriors, as is 
sometimes the case, for effect, to worm out confessions. 
The prize-master was so intent on seeing his 'dear friend, 
commodore Decatur,' that several times he tried to force 
his way to the cabin, from whence he would as often be 
forced back by the sentry at the door. 

When he came to his senses and learned his true situa- 
tion, what an ass he had made of himself, by throwing 
again into the hands of the enemy so valuable a prize, 
which, had he secured it, as easily he might, would have 
enabled him to remain at home at his ease during the con- 
tinuance of the war, it completely unmanned him ; and 
for the remainder of the time he was in the frigate, he 
was scarcely heard to speak a loud word. He was a man 
of good education, had been employed and held command 
in the merchant service for many years, and to every 
appearance he was capable of being entrusted with stations 
of confidence, honour and profit. But this unlucky pro- 
pensity for the bottle, spoiled all his past as well as future 
prospects ; 'for,' said he, 'who will again trust me with a 
cock-boat, after the bad management of the late prize 
put under my command.' 

We lay-to for the day, to give the crew that was sent 
on board of the recaptured prize, time to refit and bend 
new sails. She proved a bad sailer, when filling away, 
and fell so far astern, that the squadron was obliged to 
heave-to every hour or two till she could come up. The 
day following, a long hawser was run out from our frigate's 



WHILE IN THE FRIGATE. 177 

stern, and made fast to the brig's bows, giving her a pull 
to quicken her speed, enabling the squadron to pursue 
their course, without farther hindrance from the prize. I 
have sat for hours highly amused, whilst watching the 
jerkings our heavy frigate gave the brig ; for on she must 
come through the waves of the sea, the rope unceremo- 
niously dragging her gunwale deep, if she had not time 
to rise over them. At times when she was just lifting her 
bows to gain the top of a heavy swell, the hawser would 
straighten with a plunge of the frigate, pulling the brig by 
the head through all, deluging her decks with tons of 
water, and giving the crew as uncomfortable a time as it is 
possible to imagine. During the third night, when the 
gale was at its height, and the waves running nearly mast 
high, the hawser parted, and when day-light came, the 
brig was not to be seen. On hauling in the rope, the 
parting was found to be at the end next the brig — not by 
the strain put upon it, but by a sharp instrument, which 
had been used by some one on board, who was tired with 
the nosing and drenching, he had undergone for the two 
days previous, and had doubtless chosen this dark, tem- 
pestuous night, to cut the connexion between him and his 
superiors, well knowing the trick could not be discovered 
till the frigates were out of sight. We saw nothing more 
of her, and kept on our course towards the Western 
Islands, for the purpose of falling in with some vessel, in 
which our troublesome selves could be sent to England, 
the frigates not intending to give up the chance of a fight, 
in this cruise for the Constitution. 



178 
CHAP. XII. 

THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

Of the frigate's crew, I shall say but little, but that 
little I hope not altogether uninteresting to those who 
may have the curiosity to peruse these pages. 

The commodore I have already passed by, after show- 
ing my military respects for his seniority, by first honour- 
ing him with my notice. 

The first lieutenant was a thorough seamen, appearing 
to be an officer of value to the ship he was in, and the 
service he had chosen for his profession ; for he saw every 
thing done on board, was ever active, on deck continually, 
proud of the station he held, but he was a great tyrant, 
and one much feared by the crew. It was not unfre- 
quent that he would call the men aft for a reprimand, and 
end with knocking them down with his fist, for the pur- 
pose, as I thought, to show the herculean strength of the 
arm that sent the blow; for it occurred so often, that the 
men, if guilty, must have deserved a worse punishment, 
for their oft repeated delinquences. The easy tumbling 
some of them received, was conclusive, they understood 
this propensity of their lieutenant, either through instinct 
or long practice, and were willing to aid him in his autho- 
rity, by meeting his wishes half way ; for often was the 
offender seen toppling, before the uplifted hand had im- 
parted the blow, which was to fell him to the deck, 
making the task of the lieutenant less arduous, but to all 
appearance equally satisfactory to both parties. 

I was at first much amused by the deep, gruff and gut- 
teral voice assumed by the officers, when issuing their 
commands to their inferiors, as though the hoarser the 
sound, the more sure of obedience. The younger mid- 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. \'{< 

shipmen, who could not hope for the sprouting of their 
beards, till a ten years' growth was added to their persons, 
were always trying their utmost to ape their superiors, 
by growling out their mandates. When the men were 
ordered up to the duty of the ship, these admirals in pros- 
pective, after stationing themselves one at either side of 
the ladder, at the main hatchway, with each a rope's end, 
would lash away to the extent of their strength, upon the 
backs of those who were of years sufficient to be their 
grandfathers. This was styled infusing spirit into the 
men, and teaching them to move lively. 

There was one whom I cannot pass by, if for nothing 
more than his singularities. He held the station of 
master-at-arms, but what his particular duties were, I 
never could lflarn, except that of flogging the boys; for 
he was continually at them — first and last, none escaped 
his rattan. It was said on board, that he had never set 
his foot on land, having been born on shipboard, and sent 
from one vessel to another when wanted, without the 
necessity of his going to the shore, which he hated as 
others loathed an infected prison. 

This man was about forty-five years of age, tall, and of 
a remarkably thin figure, hatchet-faced, sharp, grey eyes, 
which peered into and beyond every thing in his range. 
His legs were pertaining to the knock-kneed form, giving 
him a bracing position from the knee downwards, and ena- 
bling the foot, hollow and all, to suck the deck so firmly 
as to make it impossible for him to slip with the rolling of 
the ship. His body was of as many crooks, shapes and 
angles, as a supple-jack when in full operation, varying at 
every pitch of the frigate, in his hurryings to and fro, be- 
yond all similitude or comparison, never retaining for a 
moment any one attitude of body or limb, the bracings 
and suctions aforesaid excepted. It was not known that 
he had ever held a word of familiar conversation with any, 
simply for the want of time ; he was always pacing from 



180 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

one deck to the other, pointing his long pinched nose into 
the scuppers, where, should he be fortunate enough to 
find a stray bucket bottom up, a kid with the after meal's 
rinsings, or the least remains of the swabber's or sweeper's 
leavings, the obnoxious article must not be touched, till 
its legitimate owner was discovered, who never escaped 
being found, by the all-searching propensities of this 
master-at-arms. Woe was it to the poor culprit when 
ferreted out, for the rattan was brought into full play, 
during the removal of the sloven's former delinquencies. 

His searchings for 'things out of the way,' brought to 
mind a nursery story of my childhood, the particulars of 
which I have forgotten ; but the principal features were 
contained in a character who was ever hurrying forward, 
looking about with the greatest eagerness, continually 
whining, 'its gone ! its gone !' or 'I've lost! I've lost!' So 
with this man ; after hours sliding the deck, (one is not 
safe in saying he walked them,) poking between every 
srun, rummaging in the bottoms of the boats, snuffin? 
about the caboose, tearing up and down the hatchways, 
thrusting himself into the many mess places of the men 
on the berth-deck, squeezing himself into all the multi- 
farious holes and corners of a man-of-war at sea — were 
he so fortunate as to find the least thing out of its regular 
place, his eyes were seen to dilate with pleasure, a partial 
smile would light up his countenance, giving proof that 
his labours were fully rewarded. 

I never saw this man either sit or stand still for a mo- 
ment ; but he was always on the go. Whether he con- 
tinued his labours through the night, I cannot say, as my 
'sixteen hour system' below commenced long before his 
various duties were completed for the day ; and when I 
was allowed to come on deck in the morning, he was still 
at his- rummagings ; so I have no authority to say he ever 
slept — ergo, he never did sleep. For the latter circum- 
stance, were I writing a work of fiction, out of this 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 181 

oddity's peculiarities something might be made, but in 
historical or narrative writings, such fancies must not be 
indulged in. 

I can safely venture the assertion, however, that this 
world was created and peopled (or that portion of it 
which is covered with a sufficient depth of water to make 
navigation safe,") for the express purpose of producing a 
good and efficient master-at-arms : and all had been dis- 
carded and assigned to meaner occupations, as unfit to fill 
so high a station, till this man was fallen in with and 
retained, greatly to the renown of the British empire. 
The world has produced but one Napoleon, yet I doubt 
many others as great as he will be forthcoming, ere 
another like this master-at-arms to his Britannic majesty's 
frigate Leander, is again seen and brought out, at least in 
his own estimation. 

Yet there is one other I cannot part with, as this sepa- 
ration must be forever, without again bringing him into 
notice; his peculiarities justifying, and my only apology 
for his second introduction to the reader. 

The sergeant of marines, as noticed in the last chapter 
but one, was a man possessing uncommon natural abili- 
ties, both mental and physical. His tall, erect, and well- 
proportioned frame, together with a countenance of an 
unusually prepossessing expression, having a greater share 
of nature's gifts, as to comeliness, than fell to the lot of 
many, distinguished him from others at a glance ; and the 
whole bearing of the man commanded respect and admi- 
ration at first sight, which was in no wise lessened by 
subsequent acquaintance. 

This man's extraordinary exuberance of spirits, which 
were ever over-flowing with laughter-loving fun, made 
him a general favourite among the men, and a welcome 
companion to all on board ; the blue-jackets excusing their 
dereliction of caste, in thus associating with the 'soger,' by 
saying, 'a stray soul had by accident taken berth on board 
16 v.l 



182 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

of this marine, and so far neutralized his nature, as to 
make his company tolerable and no disgrace.' 

His general favouritism gained him the office of 'rousing' 
up the watch from below, during the night. No one could 
be better fitted for the duty than he was, as he could say 
more and go greater lengths with the crew, than any other 
in the frigate, without raising their ire or hatred. His un- 
accountable quickness of movement and readiness of wit, 
enabled him to take the range of the berth-deck, as it 
were, in a moment, giving this hammock a shake, that a 
rap with his rattan, and another, whose owner was a con- 
firmed snoozer, he would nearly turn bottom up in his 
passage, delaying not a second at any one of the sleepers, 
merely nudging gently, for them to know he was passing, 
qualifying his hints or doings with some trite saying, a 
rhyme, a song, or whatever came uppermost in his lively 
and fertile imagination. This went far towards softening 
his unwelcome visits to the watch below. 

The sergeant could neither read nor write ; yet this was 
not easily known to one in conversation with him, so cor- 
rect were his pronunciation and language. His memory 
was astonishing, for what he once saw or heard, he appa- 
rently never forgot ; and any odd saying he accidentally fell 
upon, he could dress up into as many shapes and colours, 
each better than the former, as would leave Matthews, at 
times, far in the back ground. My berth being near the 
hatchway of the berth-deck, gave me an admirable oppor- 
tunity of listening to the amusing tricks and drollery he 
resorted to, for the purpose of getting the sleepers up by 
roll-call, which was fifteen minutes after the watch was 
notified to go on deck. Whoever was absent at the call, 
the same was reported, and if repeated, the delinquent 
was brought to punishment, cither by extra duty, loss of 
grog, or whipping. 

Various were the excuses of the men for not turning 
out; some plead sickness, others indulgencies granted 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 183 

by an officer, some one thing, some another; to all of 
which, quick as thought, he had his ready answer, either in 
poetry or prose, which rolled out as spontaneous as the 
spring gushes from its native fountain. His voice was 
highly musical, even in conversation, but when in song, 
there are few professional singers who would not be proud 
to possess it, even in its untutored state, as when I enjoy- 
ed its melodious warblings. So apropos were his snatches 
of songs, that I had no doubt at the time they were ex- 
tempore, and made without the least effort or exertion of 
thought, as, for aught I knew, were likewise the rude, and 
unmeasured melody with which he chanted them. 

I feel quite incompetent to give a correct delineation of 
this man's characteristic traits, and only wish the pen was 
held by a more able hand, and by one possessed of more 
lively imagination to record his worth. However, with a 
little brushing up of a bad memory, I will endeavour to 
make his sayings and doings intelligible to those who will 
take the trouble to follow me a few pages farther. 

We will suppose it twelve o'clock at night, and the 
harsh grating voice of the boatswain, immediately follow- 
ing his piercing whistle, with — 

'T-h-e 1-a-r-b-o-a-r-d w-a-t-c-h, a-h-o-y-y ! ! !' 

Before the guttural sounds have ceased, the clear, high- 
toned voice of the sergeant is heard, from the ladder on 
which he is standing, with — 

Don't you hear the boatswain's whistle, 

With his voice so deep and hollow ; 
Up ! my merry men of mettle, 

Let the sluggard's reward follow. 

Finishing his song with a leap to the deck below, 
making as much noise as possible, darting ahead on his 
uprousing-round, giving each hammock a sudden jerk or 
swing in his passage, singing out with a high voice, so as 
distinctly to be heard throughout the deck, with an ex- 
ceedingly quick articulation — 



184 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

'Tumble up ! tumble up ! tumble up ! ! larboards away ! 
larboards away ! ! Ho ! ye sleepers, wake, wake up ! turn 
out ! turn out ! turn out ! Come, come ! be lively my lads, 
my merry, merry lads ! you're wanting on deck, on 
deck ! on deck ! ! Be quick, be quick ! be quick ! !' 

'Haul in your sleeping-tackle, and set taught your eye- 
lid backstays — reeve a bit of resolution into your noddle- 
blocks — lay not gaping and walloping about like a har- 
pooned grampus, giving time for a stick with the lance, as 
you now do for a chance of my stick, unless you bestir 
yourselves with more spirit and suppleness,' rounding off 
with a verse or two of some common-place ditty : 

Hark, ye, hear! the larboard call; — 

Time you're losing, losing, losing ; 
Out your lazy bodies haul; 

Not lay snoozing, snoozing, snoozing. 
The starboards now on deck are weary, 

For you waiting, waiting, waiting; — 
Rouse ye up ! and let them, cheery 

Know you're waking, waking, waking. 

In the sergeant's rounds for those whose location he 
knew without inquiry, so oft had he been at their snug 
quarters, on this same kind office, he would disturb their 
gentle slumbers with an ungentle shake, no little softened 
however by the good natured accompaniment given with 
the rap, shake, or twigging, they had to undergo, in his 
hurry to get through with his compliments to the rest in 
waiting. The timing in of his jokes were always well- 
fitted ; and from one of less ready wit, his hurry in dis- 
turbing the sleepers would be no joke, but cause for a 
growl, grumble or fault-finding. But with the sergeant, all 
went smoothly; for whilst pestering one, he would raise 
his voice in a song intended for another, as often as direct- 
ing it to the one to whom he was paying his respects in 
his own peculiar manner. 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 185 

Hallo, sailor Jack, you're flat on your back; 

That snore of yours is a tell-tale; 
'Stead of being at home, close and snug with your chum, 

You're boxing about with the gale. 

After he had made his first round, the watch were 
pretty generally stirring, and his only remaining duty was 
to get the old stagers and skulkers in the same mood. 
This, commonly, was no easy task, but gave him full 
employment, allowing him an opportunity to show off his 
peculiarities, his threats and scoldings, and, as a dernier 
resort, his rattan was sometimes brought into requisition, 
to quicken their sluggish movements. When time admit- 
ed, he would enliven the men by carolling a stanza of an 
encouraging nature, continuing it till wanted elsewhere, 
by seeing a knot of laggers, who required his attendance. 

Tramp, tramp away on deck, my boys, 

So cheerly, cheerly, cheerly, — 
Who, like us, so fond of joys — 

So merrily, merrily, merrily ; 
For every kick, we'll give ten blows, 

Most freely, freely, freely. 

A happy, jovial life lead we, 

While sailing, sailing, sailing — 
Laugh, joke, and do our duty free, 

Without failing, failing, failing ; 
And meet the rubs, what'er they be, 

Without quailing, quailing, quailing. 

To friends who now off a lee-shore, 

Are coasting, coasting, coasting, 
We'll lend a hand, and something more, 

Without boasting, boasting, boasting; 
While him we'll give, who spurns the poor, 

A roasting, roasting, roasting. 

Up, up ! my merry hearts of oak, 

So sprightly, sprightly, sprightly; 
For foes you'll keep a sharp look-out, 

So brightly, brightly, brightly ; 
Them we'll trim up, and box about, 

Most tightly, tightly, tightly. 
16* v. I 



186 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

There's that long, low, black schooner lad, 

Now cruising, cruising, cruising ; 
We'll spoil his ugly figure head, 

From musing, musing, musing, 
And freely give him, in its stead, 

A bruising, bruising, bruising. 

We're nearing fast our happy home, 

Now daily, daily, daily ; 
Where many a gleesome voice and song 

Will hail ye, hail ye, hail ye, 
While dancing on the sunny lawn, 

So gaily, gaily, gaily. 

'Sergeant, I believe you make a pitch at my hammock 
at every watch-call, whether it is my turn on deck or 
below ; and for what reason, I know not, unless to tor- 
ment me ; because of my rheumatic shoulder, which now 
you are tugging at, as though you were warping against a 
strong current. The boatswain's whistle is not fairly done 
piping, and you are here the second time ; — was it grog 
hour you would be excused for your officiousness, but as 
it is, I can look upon your conduct as only personal, and 
as such I shall take it if persisted in.' 

•Personally you shall take it (giving him a few sharp 
cuts with his rattan) you meanest of the afterguard's awk- 
ward squad ; ten minutes have already gone by, and you're 
still in your hammock. You have but five minutes more 
to rig yourself, go on deck, and answer to your number. 
If you miss this as you have the two last, you will have a 
sample of the boatswain's personalities, through the agency 
of a nine-tailed cat; and that you will take with livelier 
feelings than my persuasions, depend upon it.' 

'Shame, shame on you sergeant; I am thrown all aback 
at your loose assertions, 'that I have missed the two last 
calls before this.' I hope you may correct your memory 
before again hazarding so ungenerous a fling. This pes- 
tering I cannot put up with much longer, and to one who 
is ever ready and willing' — 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 187 

'At his grog and his grub ; but beyond these I can say 
nothing farther in your favour than — 

Ah, my darling red-coat soldier, 
Ever did you prove a dodger, 
First complaining, then you're fretting, 
Wheezing, whining, teasing, sweating ; 

With your would-be's 

And your should-be's, 

And your could-be's — 

But up get ye, 

And that quick, ye, 

Else I'll stick ye ; 
For you're loitering here to slumber — 
Up ! and answer to your number. 

'But here is a fellow gurgling and blowing in his sleep, 
like the noise of the water struggling its way up through 
the lee-scuppers, with a back sea to give it force. I must 
ease him of his night-mare. Holloa, my hearty ! hold on 
with your drowsy music, which twangs more of the nose 
than I like to hear; — ease off your mainsheet, and round- 
to before you get upon breakers.' 

'Sergeant, you essence of nocturnal troubles, dread 
fears, and witchcraft ugliness ! you have spoilt one of the 
pleasantest dreams I have had for a month, and for the 
kindness you have done me, may your's be of hobgoblins, 
she-devils, and mince-pies seasoned with scupper nails, or 
any such kind of fancy hardware as may stick in your 
throat; you have done murder in the second degree, by 
cutting off my dream — caused more injury than if you 
had turned Turk and quit your prayers.' 

Cut short your home-bound dreams of pleasure, 

Now just begun, 
Which you can finish at your leisure, 

When your work is done. 
But fir3t, for fear you may not know, 

Where to begin, 
Where you left off, I tell you now, 

Just stick a pin. 



188 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

'Oh, the splicing of a cable is no easy job, but the 
splicing of such a dream as I had undenveigh, is still more 
difficult, and cannot be ; for a prettier sample of imagina- 
tion was never set afloat. If you behave yourself hand- 
somely hereafter, soldier though you be, you shall have 
the long and the short of it, to where you clapped your 
stopper on, in no genteel way, any how ; for which you 
have my blessing, as old Moll, the sweeper's wife, said, 
when she cursed the first lieutenant for breaking the bottle 
of jorum she had in her bosom.' 

This intended blessing was lost upon the sergeant, who 
was tugging away lustily upon a confirmed sleeper, but 
could get nothing more than a grunt or a growl from him, 
with a word now and then — 'clear out, sergeant, or devil's 
imp — who could ever think of putting a red-coat to teach 
a blue-jacket of my years his duty. Now, soldier, I know 
my duty, and can do it, without your meddlings, so make 
yourself scarce — clear out and begone, before my temper 
gets the upper hand of me ; — I want to take another 
snooze, and can do it without your interference. 

Oh, ho ! my fine fellow, 

You're snug in your pillow ; 
By the hokey, my lad, but you'll catch it. 

I wish you no harm, 

But your back will be warm, 
Without th' aid of your old rough pea-jacket. 

'Out, you hound — if you give me this trouble again, I 
will report you to the watch officer ; and you well know 
his ease of handling, even for less offences than this ; for 
you have often been under the kindness of his treatment.' 

'I am sick, very bad, and cannot positively go on deck ; 
so if you report at all, let it be to the surgeon.' 

'What shall I say ails you now ? as I have so often car- 
ried messages to the surgeon, without a show of disease, 
I am determined to scrutinize the patient before I go 
again.' 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 1S9 

'Say I'm most confounded bad — havn't slept a wink for 
a fortnight, eat nothing for a month — am dizzy, and run- 
ning off with a ten-knot breeze head-ache.' 



•a 



Oh, sadly no doubt, your head is now aching, 
You goggle-eyed tippler, and rum-sucking donkey ; 

We very well know, that you have been taking, 
As always, you rogue, a pull at the monkey. 

By the Mogul's great beard, if thus you go on, 

At punishment day, you will stand number one. 

'May I never eat worse than soft tack and plumb-pud- 
ding, with sauce of my own choosing, if here isn't this 
lubberly, muggy-headed Tom Clamp, still rolled in his 
blanket, with as much ease and security as though the 
trim of the ship depended upon his lying still, while every 
boy is on deck. Shame, you double compound of snoring 
stupidity and high-pressure laziness. Up, and be moving, 
else you will miss your number, which is not among the 
highest, and you well know the consequences.' 

'Just bear in mind, sergeant, that it's my ear you are 
lugging at, instead of the weather-earing at the fore-topsail 
yard-arm. By the purser's honesty, I advise you to douse 
your soldier uniform, and ship the respectable dress of a sai- 
lor ; and if your grip and strength, when aloft, be half so great 
as now, you shall be captain of the foretop in a week.' 

'Sail ho !' said one who had just come from the relieved 
watch, 'as I have my grub to get at eight bells. Call the 
corporal of the guard! here is a dirty-faced, lantern-jawed, 
scupper-mouthed lubber of a marine in my hammock, 
where he expects to ride out the watch, if it's only for the 
sake of saying hereafter, he has been in decent company. 
Lend a hand, and we will ease him on deck, as the soldier 
officer's fancy man in petticoats was eased into the boat 
alongside of the frigate, by the parting of the tackle-falls. 
A little rough handling will mend his manners, and learn 
him where to stow his maggoty carcass next time, among 
the red-coats of his own kidney, not here with his betters ; 



190 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

for may I ever live upon salt junk, without a drop of grog 
to freshen it, if I don't hate a soldier as I do the French, 
and this is a clincher to my oath,' giving the one in the 
hammock a kneading in the short ribs, that would have 
awakened a Samson, who was too drowsy to know his 
head was getting shaved. The sergeant, as an accompani- 
ment, that the blows might be planted with measured pre- 
cision, chimed in with — 

You're skulking, oh, ho ! 
By my mother's great toe — 
Up you shall go, 
Whether or no, 
To relieve your companions on deck, 
From the task of the watch they're at ; 
They are wearied with the storm, 
And must rest till the morn. 

After the sergeant had gotten the watch upon deck, he 
would shuffle about with the nimbleness and ease of a 
French dancing master, timing his steps to his whistlings, 
eeemingly the merriest of the. merry. Not unfrequently, 
however, as the noise died away to a stillness, was he 
heard singing in an under tone, apparently for his own 
amusement, but in more sentimental or melancholy strains 
than any of the foregoing. This, together with some other 
circumstances of a trivial nature, convinced me, that his 
light and hilarious spirits were more forced than natural to 
himself, or they were not so much a spontaneous overflow- 
ing of the heart, as was manifest to his every-day hearers. 
He was often singing, with a subdued and pathetic voice, 
the following: : 



o 



The larboards to the deck have gone, 
The starboards here are snugly stown ; 
And I, too, now will take my rest, 
If rest can come to one, unblest 
With one bright hope. It must be borne, 
Far, far from friends, and her to whom 
I once could ease my heart from wo — 
But now, alas ! nought cheers, — oh, no. 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 19J 

I may have dwelt longer with the sergeant, than his 
character requires ; still, I have not given him his merits. 
It has very justly been said, much depends upon first im- 
pressions for mankind to like or dislike ; so with the ser- 
geant. His social, free and easy manner, while searching 
the prisoners, made an impression upon my mind that I 
shall never forget ; and subsequent acquaintance with his 
comical peculiarities, raised my admiration to the highest 
pitch, as his actions were ever without vulgar buffoonery 
or low ribaldry. 

Friday of each week was punishment day. On the first 
that followed after our capture, three culprits were punish- 
ed by being whipped with the cat, for misdemeanors of 
which they had been convicted previously. 

The frigate's crew were called to quarters, and after- 
wards, 'all hands piped to witness punishment,' ourselves, 
as well as those belonging to the ship, being assigned 
stations, so that the whole could witness the ceremony. 
Having a natural or unnatural curiosity for such exhibi- 
tions, I managed to get in the inner circle, within ten feet 
of those who were to be flogged, and had an admirable 
opportunity to gratify my propensity for sights of the kind. 

The first culprit being stripped to his trowsers, was tied 
with his hands extended to the main rigging, so high as 
not to enable him to stretch himself higher, and so secure 
as to prohibit him from shrinking or twisting out of his in- 
tended position. His feet were likewise made fast to the 
deck, to prevent him from moving ; and every exertion he 
made, either to free himself, change his posture, or swerve 
his body from the lash of the whip, necessarily made it the 
more painful, by throwing a strain upon the lashings with 
which he was confined. 

Whilst in the above position, his offence and criminal 
conduct was made known, together with the proceedings 
of the trial by which he was convicted, and the whole ex- 
patiated upon for a considerable length of time, greatly to 



192 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

the annoyance of the culprit, who stood with a pallid fear 
upon his countenance, and I could plainly see his flesh 
creep and shudder with the dread of the anticipated whip- 
in^ it was presently to receive. It appeared to me, that 
this part of the ceremony was even worse than the flog- 
j n o- — standing in the cold blast, naked before his ship- 
mates and superiors, waiting till the whole of this show 
or ceremony was finished, knowing he was then to be 
lacerated and cut by the boatswain's mate, who stood in 
his position close by, with the dreaded instrument of tor- 
ture in hand, cooly separating the lashes, and twirling 
them through the air, with a peculiar professional noncha- 
lance, which use and long habit had given him. 

When the sentences were read, the sermonizing upon 
the enormity of the crime committed were over, and all 
the little nothings had been gone through, the surgeon 
stepped forwards, to be in readiness to say when the poor 
fellow could bear no more. The whipper was directed 
how and where to apply his blows, with as many direc- 
tions as though this was a new mode of punishment, never 
before tried, and in the nicety of its performance depend- 
ed its adoption into the service. The one with the cat 
was admonished that should he favour, or seem to favour 
the culprit, he would have a chance of taking his place. 
With this advice the boatswain's mate neither spared his 
strength nor his skill in making his 'cuts tell,' in profes- 
sional parlance. 

For the first dozen blows, the man did not groan nor 
complain, but ground his teeth with desperation, as they 
could be plainly heard grating together by the lookers-on ; 
he looked pale, but stood it nobly. The blows were given, 
as near as I could judge, about eight to ten per minute, 
the mate clearing the lashes after each blow 1 , from any 
tangling they might be in, and held their ends in his left 
hand, whilst he was giving his right arm a swing for the 
next hit. 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 193 

When the first dozen was finished, each blow being: 
counted aloud by an officer in attendance, distinctly 
enough to be heard over the deck, a 'fresh hand' was 
called to take the cat. The culprit's countenance changed 
at once, when he saw who was next to exercise his 
strength and skill upon his bared carcass. On the sur- 
geon's second examination, and his saying 'all is right,' 
the 'fresh hand' commenced, and drew blood at the first 
stroke, (the first drawn,) which was followed by a shriek 
from the poor fellow undergoing the whipping, that clearly 
indicated the height of his agony. At each successive 
blow, the ferocious scoundrel with the cat, seemed to gloat 
at the havoc he was making of the reeking back, the very 
officers looking daggers at the villanous manner he was 
cutting into the flesh of the one under punishment. At 
the end of the second dozen, he was untied and led 
away. 

The first culprit's place was given to another, who like- 
wise took the two dozen, when his station was given to 
the third and last, which completed the ceremony. Two 
boatswain's mates were employed with each culprit, none 
being allowed to strike more than one dozen lashes upon 
the same individual. 

One, while handling the cat, was evidently favouring 
him under the lash, but seemingly exerting more strength 
than any of his predecessors, till he was given to under- 
stand that his motions were observed, when he put the 
finish to all humanity, by settling the lashes far into the 
fellow's flesh ; thus showing a willingness to make up for 
his former delinquencies, and gain esteem from those with 
whom he had lost favour. 

I really believe I was as sick (probably not painfully so) 
as was either of those who had undergone the flogging, 

D DC O 7 

whilst looking on, and by being so near the whole pro- 
ceedings ; for the first blow struck went deeper into my 
feelings, than into the flesh of him that received it. 
17 v.l 



194 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

However unpleasant were my sensations, I was prepared 
to see a much more horrible sight than was here exhibited, 
by the many accounts I had formerly seen, of the 'flog- 
gings in the British navy,' where 'the back was left bare 
of flesh to the bones, from the shoulders to the hips, and 
afterwards sprinkled with fine salt, gunpowder,' etc. etc. 
Of the many whippings that I witnessed while in this fri- 
gate, and afterwards in prison, with the exception of the 
two cases above noticed, the skin was rather roughed up, 
than cut into, by the ends of the lashes ; and but rarely 
did I notice the skin broken, till the first dozen was com- 
pleted. In more cases than one, I have seen the entire 
two dozen finished without the sufferer complaining, or a 
drop of blood being drawn. From this circumstance, I am 
inclined to believe, that the flos-sino: with the cat is not 
so painful nor so lacerating as that with the cowhide ; 
neither will the former disfigure so badly as the latter. 

Many of the crew were constantly upon the black list, 
and for minor offences, were punished in various ways — 
polishing shot, double duty, stoppage of spirits, or one- 
fourth spirits and three-fourths sea water, and forced down 
in large doses. These punishments were the most promi- 
nent for the most trifling offences, or neglect of duty, and 
many times, no doubt, to give vent to the spleen of the 
junior officer, or for them to show that they had authority 
and could use it. This 'three-water-grog,' so termed by 
seamen, appeared to be most particularly obnoxious to 
those drenched with it, and if horrid retchings, sickening 
nausea, profuse vomitings, with grimaces of all sorts be 
authority, I speak but truth when saying, it went most 
sadly against the grain. 

A large number belonging to the frigate were impressed 
into the service, and many were detained under peculiar 
hardships. Near by where I lay in the hold, slept one 
of the crew, together with his wife, who had prepared and 
preferred this place to swing his hammock, instead of the 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 195 

berth deck, to relieve his wife from the annoyance to 
which she was exposed, whilst his duty called him to the 
deck through a portion of each night. He had chosen a 
spot near the hatchway of sutlicient space for his swing- 
ing couch, and One of comparative comfort, if we except 
the stench necessarily arising from the cable being coiled 
away while wet, and the stagnant, confined air of which 
the hold was never free for the want of proper ventila- 
tion. None slept between his hammock and myself, 
which afforded me an opportunity of learning his his- 
tory, and with which I was much interested. 

He had formerly been a cheesemonger in London, had 
met with many difficulties in gaining a business, till at 
last, after four years' untiring industry, unceasing assi- 
duity, and economizing to a degree of miserly meanness, 
by depriving himself of almost every necessary of life, he 
became so firmly established, and had so far increased his 
capital, as to believe he was able to maintain a family, and 
accordingly united himself to the one to whom he had been 
attached longer, than he had been striving to gain a busi- 
ness. He had been married about four months, when, as 
he was returning from his shop to his home, between ten 
and eleven o'clock of a Saturday night, he was intercepted 
by a press-gang, immediately conveyed on board of a ten- 
der, and afterwards sent to a man-of-war ship. He used 
every exertion to have his case made known to the admi- 
ralty, but without avail or having his letters attended to. 
When his young wife found there was no possibility of 
his gaining his liberty, she petitioned, without her hus- 
band's knowledge, to have the privilege of following him, 
and had ever since been buffeting about through tempests 
and storms, battles and wrecks, by his side ; neither having 
set foot on land for the seven years since his impressment. 
Both were constantly and as deeply deploring their sad 
fate, as though it was the first week of their change from a 
life of comfort, surrounded by friends, to a dragging one of 



196 THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 

danger, hardships and misery, with no associates but such 
as circumstances had forced upon them, as unlike to their 
natures, as the cause of his detention was damnable to the 
nation that sanctioned it. 

She was yet young, modest, reserved, and beautiful, 
possessing traits both in speech and deportment, that awed 
and kept aloof the vulgar, which entirely prevented all 
undue familiarity from those with whom she was constantly 
and unavoidably thrown in contact. Her whole appear- 
ance manifested unerringly, that her early education had 
been attended to with much care, and that it had not been 
misapplied. He likewise showed many proofs of being 
fitted for a more worthy calling. He was ever speculating 
upon getting free from the service, and commencing anew 
his old business of a cheese-dealer, — declaring, whenever 
he should be detained from home of nights, he would risk 
his wife alone, rather than run the chance of again encoun- 
tering a press-gang. To this his better half cordially sub- 
scribed, even should he lengthen- his stay for a week at a 
time. I never knew him to speak to her otherwise than 
with the utmost tenderness, except once, when he came 
from his four hour's watch on declc of a rainy, boisterous 
night, a little crusty, and, finding her asleep, pettishly said, 
after waking her, he was glad she had gained such fami- 
liarity and confidence with the surrounding men (prisoners) 
as to be able to sleep. She did nothing but weep the 
remainder of the night, and ever after followed him to the 
deck, when his watch called him up, regardless of his 
entreaties to the contrary. 

Another impressed hand was on board of the Leander, 
with whose whimsicalities I was often much amused. 
For the three years that he had been in the service, 
he never yet could be made to do his duty. In spite 
of the cat, coal-hole, shot-polishing, holy-stoning, or three- 
water-grog, work he would not, and the patience of those 
who were trying to force his task upon him, were long 



THE CREW OF THE FRIGATE. 197 

since exhausted, before his determination of resisting their 
efforts was beginning to tire. This quizzical son of Eme- 
rald's green Isle, showed nothing but fun, frolic, and drol- 
lery in every lineament of his face, which was more deeply 
pourtrayed in each motion and turn of his body. Otten 
when under the drill sergeant, surrounded by the officers 
on deck, who, with all their starched gravity a long school 
of severity had engendered, could not suppress their 
laughter at his nonsense, he would carry on his sport, 
although he knew it must draw down upon him a punish- 
ment; yet it cooled him not — his joke, his ridicule of the 
service, of the marine corps, of every thing within his 
gaze, would come out, and with such irresistible drollery, 
as of necessity to make the descending rattan fall harm- 
less. After an hour's perseverance, at the drill, his task 
masters would abandon all further attempt, for the time, 
and dismiss him with a nominal punishment whose seve- 
rity was as light as the spirits of him upon whom it was 
inflicted. 

The drill sergeant had him one day with his musket, 
and whilst soing through the exercise, surrounded by the 
idlers on deck, officers as well as men, he was ordered to 
'present arms!' 'Hush!' said he, throwing his eyes and 
pointing his musket aloft, breech foremost, 'wait abit, till I 
pop the pidgeon from yonder yard-arm,' so suddenly and 
earnestly as to attract all eyes thither, 'oh ! its all in my 
eye, and now I'm ready for the 'present!' This, trivial 
as it reads, was done in such an inimitably laughable man- 
ner, with his tongue thrust in his cheek at the hoax, and 
a grimace peculiar to himself, that none could hold in, the 
men imitating their superiors, who thought it useless repri- 
manding for a fault they were guilty of themselves. The 
only duty I ever saw him perform, was to stand sentry 
at some of the lower <leck ladders, or over some one 
under arrest. And even here he was ever at his monkey 
antics. His bayonet, (the only weapon when at this duty) 
17* v.] . 



19S ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

he could use in manifold ways for the amusement of the 
surrounding crowd, or to work off the surplus of his mis- 
chievous humour, which was ever gathering to the brim, 
first as a musket, then as a broadsword, again as a board- 
ing pike, he would show an aptness at exercise, as before 
he had displayed his awkwardness under the drill sergeant. 
Now he was using it as a balancing pole to facilitate his 
dancing to a crack in the deck — poising it upon his nose 
while reciting the paternoster, — bellowing through its 
barrel as a speaking trumpet, when calling the corporal of 
the guard, — ending with a straddle upon it as a capering 
pony ; and had it been one in reality as mettlesome as its 
rider, nothing could be more amusing, than to watch the 
contention of the one with the contrariness of the other. 



CHAP. XIII. 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 



On going to the deck, on the morning of January the 
thirteenth, we found the vessel was close in shore, moving 
through the water with a gentle breeze, and the tempera- 
ture of the weather such as we were accustomed to enjoy 
in the first weeks in June — balmy, cheerful and lovely. 
My feelings were much exhilirated by again beholding 
land, although to me it could be of no farther comfort, 
than the gratification it afforded the sight, and the associa- 
tion it brought to mind, of again seeing pastures covered 
with the richest verdure, fields teeming with a luxuriant 
growth, and nature in its loveliest form — a lively green 
predominating over all, such as I was used to enjoy, before 
knowing aught of the world or the world's doings. 

The picturesque appearance of this island is far beyond 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 199 

my power to describe, heightened as it was by a charming 
morning and transparent atmosphere. We had an admira- 
ble opportunity of enjoying the view, as we were sailing 
leisurely along its shores for several hours. 

This island rises gradually, but regularly, from the shore 
to the summit, which is gently rounded, giving to the 
beholder from the offing, a sight of the whole portion 
between him and its top, at once, all under a high state 
of cultivation. Not a promontory, hill, crag, or woodland 
intervenes to break the smoothed surface of the soil, nor 
hinder the eye from an enjoyment but little less than 
enchanting, whilst resting upon this villa-dotted island. 

The entire surface of the ground appeared separated into 
small enclosures, by hedges of orange trees, now in a lux- 
uriant state of cultivation and bearing. The square plats 
or fields seemed to be vieing in richness and colouring 
with those hedges, with which they were so fancifully 
begirded, conveying to the beholder at a distance, the 
idea of a richly bespangled carpet, more than of culti- 
vated pastures and fields. 

The effect of this tantalizing sight of the green fields, to 
those who before had never been separated from them, 
was various and interesting to a looker-on. Some de- 
clared they would willingly bind themselves to a life's 
bondage, if they could but enjoy a week's ramble on 
shore, among fields so much like what they had left 
behind them for this Quixotical cruise at sea. 

But none was affected like Nimble Billy, who stood for 
hours apart from all, without saying a word, with his gaze 
fixed on the shore ; the tears coursing each other down 
his wan and sunken cheeks, exhibiting a picture of dis- 
tress which gained the sympathy of every beholder. His 
thoughts were wandering to that happy home from which 
he was thus far separated, and was dwelling upon his aged 
parents, who needed his aid for their comfort, but who 
now, by the common course of occurrences, could neither 



200 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

hear from nor see their son for perhaps years ; as no 
doubt the mourner very well knew, that he was to be 
imprisoned during the continuance of the war, and till a 
peace was declared, he would be estranged from the circle 
of his friends at home ; for none were exchanged but such 
as were captured in national vessels, or troops under the 
pay of the government of the United States. To look 
upon this poor fellow's sorrowings, went far to make me 
forget I too was a prisoner under the like circumstances. 
I gladly would have consoled him, but on trial found my 
soothings only made the wound bleed the fresher ; for his 
reply was not far from being correct when he said, 

'I am not alone the sufferer; if I were, I could stand it 
like a man, for it is no more than I deserve ; but my poor 
parents, who can console them in their aged grief?' His 
tears completed the sentence. To such, the only consola- 
tion that can give relief, is silence. 

The sailing nearly half around this island, gave us an 
opportunity of seeing a large portion of it, and to great 
advantage ; for, as the frigates were obliged to stretch out 
and in, whilst beating round to gain the harbour, they 
were occasionally close in upon its bold shores, and at no 
time were they more than from three to five miles from 
the land. 

We came to anchor in the outer harbour, at some dis- 
tance from the town, yet not so far but that we could 
distinctly see its snow-white buildings shelving up the 
rising slope upon "which it is built, one over-topping the 
other as they receded from the shore, adding fancy to the 
before picturesque view ; whilst the back-ground stretched 
far in the rear, still rising — the fields dwindling in size as 
they grew in distance till they were lost in the clouds, 
with which the summit was at times capped throughout 
the day. The harbour was enlivened with the many 
small vessels and row-boats of strange rig, and with-crews 
of stranger costumes, which were busily plying about 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 201 

amid the larger shipping, at their several anchorage 
grounds — some men-of-war, others merchantmen, and all 
helping to fill up this fanciful picture. The combining 
whole conveying the idea of an enlarged panoramic 
painting, more than any thing of reality. 

On coming to our anchorage, a circumstance occurred 
at which I was much amused, although at first it promised 
to be of a serious nature. ^ 

We ran in with a south-west wind that had fresh- 
ened to a stiff breeze, till coming under the lee of the 
Peak of Pico, opposite to Fayal, which aided a little to 
break the wind, and the heavy swell, which came roll- 
ing in from the open sea beyond without a hindrance, till 
meeting this slight barrier, when its force was some little 
checked. Immediately to leeward, was a rocky perpendi- 
cular bluff, of three hundred feet in height, which the sea 
was breaking against with the greatest fury. I had taken 
my perch upon the booms, so as to have a chance of 
clearly seeing the working of the frigate, as well as the 
different objects of curiosity within my range, which were 
many ; and as I ever was a lover and observer of things 
that were either strange or new, I here let no opportunity 
pass, by which I could gratify my eager curiosity. 

The anchor was let go, and the cable spun out to its 
entire length with the most fearful swiftness. But when 
all was out, the frigate still went stern on towards the 
bluff, as though the anchor was yet at the cathead ; and 
when she had drifted so as to be without the shelter of 
the Peak, and exposed to the wind and heavy swell, both 
driving her on to inevitable destruction, unless suddenly 
checked in her course, none were so blind as not to see 
the peril, the almost instant annihilation, with which the 
frigate was threatened, and in a twinkling it was known 
the anchor had not taken hold, but was dragging. 

What means were adopted for the safety of the ship, I 
know not, for my curiosity had full employment in follow- 



202 ARRIVAL AT RATAL. 

ing the old commodore about the deck in his mad ravings. 
I have read and heard much of the coolness, intrepidity 
and readiness of the English naval officers, in all sudden 
cases of emergency and danger, and, as this commodore 
was one of the oldest in commission, and a staunch veteran 
in the service, it is rank heresy to say he was not a fair 
specimen of those who are prompt to act, cool in issuing 
orders, meeting dangers with indifference, as well as col- 
lected and firm in all cases of unlooked for trials. Inas- 
much, as he had seen long service, fought many a fight, 
been slashed and cut to disfiguration, as his numerous scars 
plainly told — had had one of his legs broken at three differ- 
ent places, at three separate periods, between the hip and 
knee, each setting worse than the last, making his leg 
crooked, more crooked, most crooked, we will set him 
down, as of right he ought to be, one of England's best — a 
very nonesuch. 

When he saw the frigate w T as gathering sternway to- 
wards the bluff, he raved, stormed, and swore at the ship, 
cable, anchor, officers, men, boys, hell and the devil, 
clinching each oath separately by a whack with his cane, 
at and on every thing within his reach. Now he was run- 
ning towards the wheel at the stern, then furiously driving 
across the decks to the hawse-holes at the bows, tacking 
first to the larboard, then to the starboard side of the ship, 
yelling at the first lieutenant for not making the anchor 
hold on — swearing at the anchor for not obeying the lieu- 
tenant — damning the cable for not being longer — the water 
for being so deep — the bottom for laying so low ; and, at 
last, when he had nothing else to crisp with his red-hot 
blessings, he blasted his own eyes, heart, liver and lights, 
winding up with a curse upon the prisoners, conveying 
their poor souls, in a trice, to the lower regions, without 
benefit of clergy, for being the cause of all the disasters in 
store for him and his frigate henceforth and forever. 

At last, the second anchor brought her up, and lucky it 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 203 

was, that it did ; for she had drifted within five minutes' 
distance of the bluff, when the frigate would not have held 
together other five minutes after striking the rocks ; as she 
must have gone on with a full exposure to the freshened 
wind and the lashing waves, now throwing their frothy 
spray mast high from the rocky cliff, that had put further 
bounds to their onward course. In all likelihoods, had the 
second anchor not held on, every soul on board must have 
been lost, for the water was deep, and the first thing the 
frigate would have struck, was the perpendicular cliff, 
whose height and uprightness was such, that no being 
without wings could ever ascend to its top, and the time 
would not have allowed a single boat to be lowered ; and 
probably, if they had been gotten out, they alike must have 
been instantly dashed against the cliff, and fared as would 
the frigate. 

I was as fully sensible of the danger of our situation as 
any one, but I could not suppress my laughter at the 
antics which this hero of many wars was cutting about 
the decks. I have no simile nor comparison for his move- 
ment ; for verily there are none. It was not a hitch-and 
go-ahead, nor a half-hitch and side-lurch ; neither was -it a 
back-and-fill balance-haul, nor a bob-and-hop straddling 
slide ; no more a cocked-and-primed tip-toe dance than a 
toe-and-heel fore-and-after ; as little like a cut-and-thrust 
forward-spring, as a back-staggering blinker-wiper ; but it 
partook of the whole in about equal parts, although most 
incongruously intermingled. In fact, I could liken his run 
with his crooked leg, to nothing but an effort of the crab to 
walk upright upon a slippery surface, whilst doggedly in- 
tent to win the wager of the half-blown terrapin, who. in 
the same attitude, is being baulked in his first trial at the 
double-shuffle, by attempting it in wig, gown and Welling- 
tons, instead of short-cuts and pumps, and going at it with 
sleeves rolled up, as an honest one should. Nor could I 
imagine his hitching, pitching, grabbling and poking hither 



204 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

and thither with his cursing yells and chilling whoops, to 
partake of any thing but the actions of a famished cur 
when encountering a piping-hot potatoe, and after pawing 
and nosing it about with a slobbering, guttural, snarling 
growl, made the more harsh by his hunger, he suddenly 
bolts it; when, to make known its blistering effects, he 
ends with a hideous howl of eternal regret. 

I wish my readers most particularly to understand me, 
that I do not say, the actions of this old commodore were 
not all right and perfectly military, my inexperience being 
such as not allowing me any opinion of my own on the 
subject; and then, probably this is the only way men of 
renown can make manifest their greatness before the eyes 
of the ignorant. If so, and there be any aspirants to naval 
distinction, of either old or young, who do not yet consider 
themselves adepts at the like displays, let me simply ad- 
vise them to be early improving, for nothing but long prac- 
tice can make perfect that which, when well done, as in 
the above instance, can never be rivalled. But most 
likely, as he had exerted himself with such signal effect 
on two separate occasions, and knowing this to be the last 
chance of exhibiting his distinguished acquirements before 
the present body of strangers, he had reserved his prettiest 
for the denouement. If I have set down aught to his dis- 
paragement, let me hasten to cancel it, by saying, he is, 
for effect, the most renowned of all within my (not read- 
ings, for such testimony cannot be relied upon) knowledge. 

The opportunity I had of judging of the old fellow's 
locomotive powers, convinced me, that he could not have 
gotten over the deck at all, only for the tremendous head 
of steam (either of fear, indecision, want of coolness, or 
excess to the contrary of all) that he had on ; this, with 
the help of his arms and cane, which served as wings or 
paddles, enabled him to make this grand display before 
the eyes of five hundred persons. 

We had not been at our anchorage ten minutes, before 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 205 

the water around the frigate was alive with boats from the 
shore, each rowed by from one to four persons, and loaded 
with oranges, which their owners had brought off for sale. 
These boatmen were swarthy Portuguese, who exhibited 
in their dresses the extremes of both poverty and riches. 
Some had barely shirt sufficient to cover their nakedness, 
with its bosom and collar filled to profusion with richly 
wrought gold buttons ; so also were the waistbands to what 
had once been trowsers, covered with buttons of an inch 
in diameter of solid gold, whilst the tattered parts pertain- 
ing thereto were so used up, as to leave the greater por- 
tion ©f their brawny legs exposed to view. Another would 
have the value of a year's wardrobe for a moderate family, 
in his knee and shoe-buckles, with neither stockings nor 
covering of any kind from the knees to the shoes; the 
latter showing their gaping propensities, by allowing free 
space for the protrusion of the toes of their owners, in all 
their native loveliness. 

These boatmen, I was afterwards told, were mostly 
wealthy inhabitants of the island, and the fruit, which 
they were now endeavouring to dispose of to the crews of 
the newly arrived frigates, was the produce of their own 
fields. Their usual mode of living, I was likewise in- 
formed, was in perfect keeping with their gold-adorned, 
tattered garments, partaking alike of sumptuous riches and 
abject poverty, — richly burnished jewelry nestled amongst 
filthy rags and party-coloured patches. 

Feeling a desire to taste the delicious fruit, which was 
exhibited in such great abundance in their baskets, I 
quickly climbed over the hammock-nettings, got outside 
in the main chains, (the boatmen not being allowed to 
come on board,) and took from my pocket three Spanish 
pistareens, exhibiting them, it being the only manner we 
could converse together, and at the same time made signs 
that I wanted some of their fruit in exchange for the mo- 
ney — gingling the pieces together, knowing it to be a lan- 
18 v.l 



206 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

guage all nations, kindred, and tongues perfectly under- 
stand, without the aid of an interpreter. Before I was 
aware of the movement, a fellow leaped from his boat, 
grabbed the money from my fingers, tossed me three 
oranges, and instantly pushed beyond the reach of harm ; 
one of them I caught, whilst the other two fell into the 
water, and were greedily seized by another of the boatmen, 
who claimed them as a prize for the dexterity he exhibited, 
without my being able to convince him by signs (argu- 
ment was out of the question — his motions were perfectly 
understood by me, why were mine so inexplicable to 
him J — thought I, one of us is a dunderhead,) that the 
oranges were mine by fair (not quite truth) purchase, and 
forthwith gave up a contest, in which I was as far behind 
my opponent in grimace and gesticulation, as he was 
ahead of me in securing the oranges, without bringing in 
question the cash advanced in the purchase, which was as 
little like to redound to my profit, as the whole transaction 
did to my credit. 

This kind of barter, if continued, I found must ultimate- 
ly prove a losing business, even should I, by longer expe- 
rience, be enabled to secure all, instead of a third of what 
was coming to me by just rights. I wisely concluded, 
after due deliberation, to abandon the contest of tri pista- 
reens vs. orange, thus inauspiciously commenced, and forth- 
with clambered back the way I had come. However 
chagrined for the loss of my money, I was more than 
compensated by the jeerings I gratuitously received from 
my messmates, who began to rig me heartily, and conti- 
nued till I would have gladly given them the remaining 
orange to be quit. 

'Are you going to set up for a fruiterer ? for your stock 
is ample enough to drive a round business.' 

'Wholesale, no doubt, or else he would not have bought 
so largely.' 

'I doubt, my lad, you'll rue it ; for I think you have laid 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 207 

in with a falling market, and you may lose, unless you sell 
out early.' 

'You are wrong, messmate, for when he took the article, 
it was rising, and fell only when he ceased taking, which 
shows the high standing he held in the market.' 

'His standing was high, but his judgment is proportion- 
ably low.' 

'Yes, his standing may be high, but his pocket will be 
lower than the lowest, if he keeps on as he has begun.' 

'High, low, jack, and the game, being interpreted, reads 
paying too dear for the whistle — minus three and seven- 
pence happenny, yankee currency — the family he hails 
from — on the wrong side of the account.' 

This trick was played upon so many, not only the pri- 
soners, but also the frigate's crew, that the officer of the 
deck placed men outside in the chains, with heavy shot, 
who had orders to try the solidity of the bottom of the first 
boat whifh might come within heaving; distance. With 
the anxiety displayed by those in the chains, the boats 
would have speedily been bottomless, had their owners 
accepted the many enticing offers held out to them for the 
purchase of their fruit ; but they were too wary, and kept 
off, not at all liking the appearance of those cold projec- 
tiles, even when propelled by manual labour. This made 
me suspect that the above precaution had before been re- 
sorted to by other vessels than ours ; for they took the 
hint the moment the men were seen getting outside, and 
hauled off, where thev remained during the dav. 

Permission was afterwards granted for one at a time to 
come on board, and bring with him his baskets of fruit; 
and seldom ever was any carried back. One took the 
place of the first, after he had sold out, then another, and 
so on in rotation throughout the day. The prediction of 
my waggish shipmate, who advised me to sell early, if I 
did not wish to have stock on hand while the article was 
falling, proved true ; for they were constantly lessening in 



208 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

price, till at last the finest oranges could be purchased 
from four to six dozen for six and a quarter cents. Verily, 
thought I, what a surfeit I could have had for my money, 
if I had but held back. Yet there probably was not a man 
or boy on board, that had not feasted to satiety long before 
they fell to the lowest price. 

One of the frigate's crew, in the after part of the day, 
made a complaint to the officer of the watch, that the 
boatman then on deck had cheated him in counting the 
oranges that he had recently bought of him. Without 
farther ado, he was seized and pitched headlong into his 
boat by the side of the ship, which happened to be in the 
right place to receive him, without the knowledge of his 
worthy gangway attendants. I am not sure that the fruit 
dealer would not have had his boat any where else, for 
the time being at least, as it would have taken up less 
time to wring the salt water out of his clothes, than it did 
to chafe and rub the bruises from his carcass. I pttied him 
none the more, for his being the same chap that snatched 
my small change from my hand ; and had I have known 
that correction so soon followed complaint, on the decks 
of the Leander, my cause should have had precedence. 
But then they might have said the offence against me was 
committed in Portuguese waters, and without the juris- 
diction of British authority. Upon the whole, it is as 
well that I did not prefer charges against the boatman, as 
I might have been retained to substantiate them, for the 
want of bail. 

The relish of this fruit was a great relief to us, who had 
been kept upon short allowance since we had been pri- 
soners in the frigate ; but beyond the oranges, we could 
buy nothing of these half-ragged, half-jewel bespangled 
boatmen. 

Soon after our arrival in the harbour, it was understood 
that a part of us were to leave the frigate, and take passage 
on board of a sloop-of-war, which was lying in the outer 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 209 

roads, within sight of our anchorage. At half past eight 
o'clock, on the morning of the fourteenth, prisoners were 
piped to leave the ship in one hour, with their baggage. 
The latter part of the order might have been omitted, 
without defacing the general order-book, for but few had 
baggage to take with them. Had the word been given 
for the prisoners to be in readiness at once, the boats 
might have been filled while the boatswain's whistle was 
yet piping, so easily could we have gathered our where- 
withal for a foreign tour, and been in readiness to leave 
the ship. 

The morning was dark and lowering, with a high wind 
from the southwest, which brought rain ere the first boat 
was filled ; and while the prisoners were pouring from the 
gangway in numbers, they were suddenly told to 'hold on.' 
We were ordered to proceed without 'filling up,' when in- 
stantly the man at the bows pushed off, and the oars fell, 
at once separating us from the frigate and many of our 
companions. Among those left behind, was my friend 
the Fifer, with whom I had formed an intimacy which I 
regretted should thus suddenly be brought to a close, 
without a parting good-bye, as the separation might, for 
aught I knew, be for life. However, we were not thus to 
part without a consoling word or a friendly farewell ; for 
as the boat rounded under the vessel's stern, and ranged 
up on her opposite side, for the purpose of answering a 
hail from the frigate, the Fifer took the opportunity to 
thrust his head through a gun port, from the main deck, 
and with a loud voice, calling me bv name, cried out — 

'Good-bye, good-bye, farewell to ye — if we never meet 
again, I shall not forget the kindness of the loan of your 
cap ; but if ever we do meet, you shall be paid its full 
value, with interest for its use.' 

There was nothing in this worthy a paragraph to the 
reader, except the expression of a kindly feeling, spring-, 
ing spontaneously from a kindlier heart. But to those look* 
18* v. I 



210 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

ing on, the effect was quite different ; for the Fifer's head, 
capped with the very crimson cap in question, and his 
large, oval, whisker-encircled face, were all that was seen 
by those in the boat; this, together with his promise of 
payment being thrust in with the command from the gang- 
way of the frigate, for the officer to convey to the sloop-of- 
war, his destination, so distracted the attention of the lieu- 
tenant in the stern, who was industriously striving to see 
both and hear all, by rapidly changing his look from one 
to the other, that it was difficult to say whether his re- 
sponding 'aye, aye, sir,' was meant for the red cap at the 
gun-port, or the swab-shoulder at the gangway. The 
whole combined was too ridiculous for the gravity of 
either ourselves, the men at the oars, the marine guard, 
or the officers of the boat ; and all burst out with a hearty 
and soul- cheering laugh, as she fell off with her bows 
heading towards her intended destination ; at the same 
time, the red cap, after bobbing a suitable number of 
recognitions, for the notice thus signally taken of it, was 
withdrawn from the port-hole, and lost to my view. 

I now had an opportunity to see who was in the boat 
besides myself; and after counting, found there were 
three officers, eight at the oars, with a guard of the like 
number of marines, besides forty -nine of us prisoners, 
including the captain of our brig, making altogether 
sixty-eight souls, all crowded into an open boat of 
nowise large dimensions. What was meant by its being 
ordered off before 'filling up,' my inexperience in boat 
duty did not enable me to learn, unless their original 
intention was to pack us in layers ; if so, we had reason 
to be thankful their first designs were not fully carried 
into effect, for the ground-tier of the stowage would have 
been in a poor plight to make their debut on board of the 
ship in which we were destined to complete our jaunt to 
England. 
The sloop-of-war that was to take us on board, lay in the 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 211 

extreme outer roads, about three miles directly to windward 
of the frigate. The weather was so boisterous, and the sea 
so rough, that w r e were two hours in reaching the ship. 
The spray was constantly dashing over the bows of the 
boat, which, together with the rain that came down in tor- 
rents before we were half w r ay to our journey's end, nearly 
filled her, and added no little to our other discomforts. 
The marines, whilst bailing, had ample employment in 
endeavoring to free her from water, without manifesting 
any great precaution of watching us, whether w r e should 
rise and take the boat to some other destination than first 
intended. Memory of long standing is poor authority, 
without calling it treacherous ; but even at this distant day, 
I am safe in saying, the prisoners were as anxious to reach 
their prison-house on board of the sloop-of-war, as the 
marine guard and the men at the oars were desirous of 
keeping the boat from grounding on a twenty-five fathom 
bottom. When we ran alongside of the ship, she was 
nearly gunwale under, and in the utmost peril of being 
swamped, which inevitably must have been the case, had 
we but the shortest distance farther to row. 

To reach the deck of the sloop-of-war, we had again to 
enact the scene mentioned in a preceding chapter, when 
conveyed from the brig to the frigate. But now experi- 
ence taught me to time my leapings 'solitary and alone,' 
w r hich I found, upon trial, much better than in company of 
pairs, as before. I was willing to run the risk of being 
charged with unsociability whilst working out the contra- 
diction of the maxim, 'that it is wrong a man should be 
alone,' to the conviction of all, that it is better for a man at 
times to be by himself, and hang upon his ow r n responsi- 
bilities, especially when he is to spring from a tottling boat, 
over a rough sea, and make good his hold to a rope at the 
end of his leap, or take a dip in the briny element beneath 
him. The jump was made without missing the grip at the 
hand-rope, and all ascended to the deck without farther 



212 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

mishap, but in as pitiful a condition as the reader can ima- 
gine, after two hours 1 severe bufferings with the rain and 
salt-water spray, which had drenched us to the skin, not 
leaving an inch of our garments dry, and without the pos- 
sibility of a change during the day, as the rain kept pour- 
ing down incessantly. The few who had consigned a part 
of their wardrobes to their clothes-bags, were no better off 
than those who had the whole upon their backs, for the 
bags were floating in the boat an hour before we reached 
the vessel, and were as completely drenched as ourselves. 
We were mustered on the deck of the sloop-of-war 
Pheasant, and an attempt was made to dress us in line for 
sometime, but for what reason I knew not. In this, the 
marine found no difficulty, except his discipline varied not 
from the straight line, whilst ours acknowledged nothing 
but what partook of the zigzag, curve, or rectangular, each 
striving to gain esteem in the eyes of the surrounding 
crowd, by displaying his fanciful eccentricities in all the 
varieties Jack, in his exuberant spirits, is heir to. An officer 
close by observed, 'this squad exhibits manoeuvres not laid 
down in any code of discipline within my readings; and it 
all across the water are as apt at a new exercise or fanciful 
positions, they have material for bush-fighting in abund- 
ance — n one can get a shot at them for their wriggling.' 
The farther project of forming us in line was abandoned as 
impracticable, and we were dismissed to range the decks 
at our pleasure. 

Soon after being at large in our new vessel, a man in 
citizen's dress and genteel appearance, singled me out, 
entered freely into conversation, inquiring into my motives 
for going to sea, former occupation, prospects hereafter, 
etc. laudably commiserating my present unfortunate situa- 
tion — dwelt long upon my unhappy prospects of lying in a 
loathsome prison, from which I certainly should not be 
released till the war ended, were it to continue twenty 
years — nay, he had known some of the French who had 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 213 

suffered in confinement a much longer period, and grown 
grey and decrepid while therein, who were no older than 
myself on entering the prison. 

As the conversation paused at times, I tried to rally my 
thoughts, and would wonder why I was thus particularly 
noticed by so genteel and well-spoken a man. I cast 
glances over my dripping garments, to see whether I 
could discover any thing more attracting than appeared 
belonging to my shipmates in adversity. But I could 
gather nothing from my exterior in the least inviting. I 
next supposed that my face might have a more benign and 
engaging aspect, or show an indication of more dignity or 
high life, than is usual with persons in my plight; but 
then, on second thoughts, (I had not the opportunity of 
viewing myself in a mirror, and had I, probably my con- 
clusions would have been the same,) I was sure nothing 
especially inviting to a man of taste and refinement, could 
be therein discovered, through its crusted covering; for I 
already knew the salt spray was fast crystalizing thereon, 
as well as matting my hair close to my head, which was 
sticking out from under my hat in adhesive clusters, like 
the bristles from the cast-off brush of a whitewasher. I 
knew the picture was varied in the colouring, however, by 
my oft repeated attempts to clear my eyes of the salt 
spray, whilst in the boat — each rubbing lessening the coat- 
ing of grease and tar from the hands, without losing any 
thing by the operation, as what was rubbed loose from 
them adhered to the eyes and surrounding parts, giving to 
the whole phiz, a coup d'ceil, not unworthy the attention 
of a Cruikshank. 

Be my looks ever so attractive in the way as above de- 
scribed, I was convinced that none in my party showed 
to better advantage, and had I second testimony, I would 
boldly assert that many of them were far worse in appear- 
ance than myself. Upon the whole, no one will say it was 
my outward show that had gained the compassion of this 



214 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

man of kindly feelings, who still held me in conversation, 
without my divining the cause, or who he was. 

Upon summing up my stray thoughts, I settled in my 
own mind, that his attentions to me, in preference to any 
other of the prisoners, were wholly owing to first impres- 
sions ; that he had discovered something in my appear- 
ance and wretchedness, that actuated his kind feelings to 
soothe or console one in adversity, who was not able to 
console himself. Be his intentions what they may, said T, 
within myself, he is a gentleman from head to foot, and I 
can lose nothing from the acquaintance, but may gain — 
let us see. 

At one time I supposed him to be the chaplain, till he 
spoke with military phrases, when I set him down as the 
schoolmaster of the ship — not entirely for his military 
knowledge, but for the smoothness of tongue and ease of 
handling any subject upon which he touched, without his 
uttering a word of profanity, or showing an indication of 
levity or vulgarity from first to last. 

I was asked if I had ever seen service upon land ; and 
on my answering him I had been drafted and served a 
short tour of duty in the militia, his eyes dilated, and his 
attentions to me were doubled, if possible, from his former 
politeness. At the question whether I could or had ever 
manoeuvred a platoon, a long controversial disputation fol- 
lowed, as to the merits or demerits of this or that plan — 
how and when a hollow-square should or should not be 
formed — whether changing fronts under fire was or^was 
not sterling — are echelon movements practicable in large 
bodies, and whether preferable in advance or retreat ? In 
all of which I strove hard to keep my end of the yoke 
even with his ; and as often as 1 could not pull square, or 
was cornered, I cloaked my ignorance by boldly saying, 
my system of tactics was dissimilar to his, or that we had 
studied under different masters, but in practical operations, 
the results would be the same. 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 215 

This was carried on for some time, till I was certain I 
had made a more valuable and lasting acquaintance than 
when in the passage of the boats from the brig to the 
frigate, with the inquisitorial marine lieutenant, that so 
unhesitatingly, on his arriving among company, cut his 
informant, who had strove to store his mind with valuable 
information. My expectations were on tiptoe, when he 
said he had a paper he wished to submit to my considera- 
tion, and hoped I would profit by it; for ultimately it 
might be of the greatest service to me, by its relieving 
me from going to a loathsome prison. I made up my 
mind at once, that this paper could be nothing short of a 
letter of credit, or an introduction to some man in power 
in England, who would instantly on receiving it, release 
me from my unhappy situation, and afterwards have me 
safely returned to my friends, or offer me some lucrative 
inducement to stay in England, or, softly crept in, take me 
as a son-in-law, for one of the many amiable daughters he 
must have, as all good, rich, and kind men have them in 
abundance, with a desire to bestow them upon those of 
worth and honourable stations in life ; or, mayhap — any 
thing that will prove a help. 

My kind friend slowly pulled from his pocket, and ex- 
hibited to my gaze the paper in question, with these intro- 
ductory remarks, for my better understanding its purport, 
setting his basilisk eyes upon me, to see the effect of his 
every word, whilst their snake-like charm made him 
suppose his mark was sure. 

'I am authorized by his majesty, to recruit for the royal 
marine service, and shall be more than happy to add so 
respectable a one as yourself, to my already greatly 
respected corps.' 

I was thunderstruck ; but that he should not see I was 
taken all aback, which he never could discover by any 
change of my countenance, thanks to the coating of tar, 
grease, crystalized salt, etc. etc. I coolly answered — 



216 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

'Your proposition is very good and well-timed ; but as I 
have a few friends I wish to consult on so important a 
change of life, you must allow me a short time for con- 
sideration, as well as for their counsel.' 

'But,' said he, and the dcemon shone through his leering 
sardonic look, whilst his exulting sarcastic smile was more 
hateful to my sight, than his speech had before appeared 
fascinating to my high-wrought expectations, 'perhaps they 
have been taught under different masters, or their tactics 
are dissimilar to ours, what then ?' 

'Why, any port in a storm ;' and I sheered off, ever after 
giving him as wide a berth as possible, being in no wise 
either flattered or proud of this first-impression acquaint- 
ance. 

It struck me for the first time, after reflecting upon the 
manoeuvres of this cunning and oily-tongued fellow, (the 
like offers were made to others, with the like effect.) that 
when the marine made the attempt to form the prisoners 
in line, my attention was aroused with the soldier-like 
manner in which he gave out his commands ; and most 
likely some latent feelings of by-gone times, (the reader 
must keep in remembrance my former penchant for and 
service in the militia) which had to give place to a greater 
desire for cruising, that had lain dormant since my sea- 
sickness, were awakened by his military voice, and pro- 
bably I had straitened a little, and dressed in line better 
than some others, thereby attracting the eyes of this man, 
who, I now remembered, was standing in our front the 
while. 

The ship was taking in water and provisions from the 
shore, when we went on board, and I was much amused 
at the manner of hoisting in the live bullocks, from the 
large flat-boats at her side. This was done by making fast 
a rope around the horns of the animals and hoisting them 
up by a tackle, from a boom rigged for the purpose, which 
swung round so as to bring them over the main hatchway, 



ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 217 

where they were lowered to the gun-deck, and there kept 
till butchered, at such periods as they were wanted during 
the passage to England. These bullocks, whilst in the 
boats, were so fractious as to be entirely unmanageable, 
unless confined with strong cords ; but the moment they 
felt themselves rising by the purchase, they did not move 
a limb nor exhibit the least signs of life, till standing on 
the gun-deck, when they again became so furious, that it 
was dangerous for any one to approach them, even after 
they were lashed fast to the upright stanchions, placed 
there to secure them. 

When we were in the frigate, we lay so close to the 
Peak of Pico, as to make one dizzy to look at its summit, 
especially whilst the clouds were in rapid motion past it, 
as they were constantly during our stay in the harbour of 
Fayal, many times totally obscuring the top from the 
sisht of the beholder. But, when we were shifted to the 
sloop-of-w r ar, we were at a convenient distance to view 
it to advantage. 

I have never seen a geographical description of this 
Peak, farther than to learn, that it is supposed to be of 
volcanic origin, and is second to none in height, except 
the Peak of TenerifFe, outvieing even that in regularity 
of taper and smoothness of surface. Its steepness is such, 
as to make it an impossibility for any one to ascend more 
than a third of its height, which is as far I believe as has 
ever been attempted by man. The top is constantly 
covered with snow, even in this ever temperate climate, 
and vegetation ceases at a short distance from its base, 
principally, however, on account of the nature of the soil. 
The shape of this Peak is precisely like that of a sugar- 
loaf, tapering gradually from its base to its summit, which 
appears to be merely rounded, and not flattened. 

As we lay at our anchorage in the frigate, we could 
distinctly see the fort, under which the American priva- 
teer General Armstrong lay, when her crew gained so 
19 v.l 



218 ARRIVAL AT FAYAL. 

great a renown, by beating off the boats of the combined- 
force of three ships of war, one of which was a three- 
decker. Although foreign to my design, such records 
deserve notice, from however humble a source they may 
spring. 

Whilst warping under this fort, after dark, for protec- 
tion as a neutral, those in command of the privateer saw 
the boats of the enemy approaching, and hailed them, 
without receiving an answer. They were then fired into 
with such destructive effect, that they precipitately retired, 
after returning the fire, killing one man and wounding a 
lieutenant. At twelve o'clock, the boats were collected 
from the three ships, twelve to fourteen in number, armed 
with carronades and swivels, crowded with men, (supposed 
not less than four hundred,') and sent again to the attack, 
with a certainty of being successful, by their greatly supe- 
rior force enabling them to make the onset simulta- 
neously from different points. As they approached, a 
destructive fire was opened upon them, when a carnage 
unprecedented followed, by the brig scattering her grape 
and langrage, (from guns filled to the muzzles, at so 
deadly an aim,) among these crowded and over-filled 
boats, killing and wounding, as was supposed, full one- 
half of those who had originally left the ships. The 
boats soon retired a second time, discomfitted, shattered, 
and sorely cut up, from a fight as short as it had proved 
sanguinary, and as unequal as it was disastrous to the 
assailants. Two of them nearly filled with the dead, 
were left by the side of the brig. The next morning, 
the smaller of the three hostile vessels warped in by the 
side of the privateer; previous to which the crew had 
thought it the more prudent to retire to the shore, after 
setting fire to their favourite vessel. Soon the broad- 
sides from the enemy's ship completed what the fire had 
commenced, and she shortly afterwards sunk. But few of 
the crew of the brig were either killed or wounded. 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 219 

As an excuse for disregarding the rights of a neutral's 
protection, in the enemy's official account to the board of 
admiralty, they say, the boats had no intention of attack- 
ing the brig, but were reconnoitering only, when they 
were fired into. The second attack was made as a chas- 
tisement for the little respect shown to his majesty's boats, 
when on so harmless an enterprise, as rowing with muf- 
fled oars towards an enemy's vessel after night-fall. 



CHAP. XIV. 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 



About four o'clock, of the same day we had been sent 
on board of the sloop-of-war, a signal was made by the 
commodore, which was immediately answered by the ship. 
This was soon known to be for our sailing, by the many 
-active preparations on board. To heave up the anchor, 
make all fast, and spread the sails to the w r ind, was but the 
work of an hour, and we were standing out to sea, with a 
close reefed topsail breeze, and heading towards England, 
leaving the remainder of our shipmates, still on board of 
lhe three frigates, the day being too boisterous to attempt 
bringing more to the Pheasant in open boats. 

The prisoners were not permitted to go below till later 
than usual, on account of the stowing or coiling away the 
cable, in the orlop-deck, which was to be our resting place 
for the night. When we were piped down, every pre- 
caution was adopted for our safety, or rather for the ship's 
safety, by taking from us and securing our knives, while 
we still were on deck. The guard took every thing from 
us which could be used as a weapon of offence or defence, 
from a toothpick to a jack-knife. 



2*20 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

It was some time before we could all get below; for 
those who had hammocks were sent down first to swing 
them, as best they could in the dark, and when there 
were no more who had them to swing, the other prisoners 
followed. However unpleasant our berth places were 
on board the frigate, we did not need the aid of a lisrht. 
to know that here, they were far worse, and infinitely 
more so than one could imagine. The space allotted for 
us to spend two-thirds of each twenty-four hours in, was 
not sufficiently large for all to lie down, although some- 
what higher than where we were confined aboard the 
frigate. Yet, by a part swinging their hammocks and 
keeping in them, the others could barely squeeze under- 
neath; and when stowed close, each found the room 
allotted him. We obtained no relief from the air above, 
as the hatches were battened down the moment we went 
below, leaving no opening except a small aperture, suffi- 
ciently large to admit one's body to pass through ; and 
even this was much obstructed, by the two guards-men 
sitting: with their feet hang-ing; below, to be in readiness in 
case of a revolt of the prisoners, of which the officers of 
the ship were evidently afraid, as was manifest from many 
other circumstances that afterwards occurred, not necessary 
to mention, besides that of taking from us our knives. 

The hot air in our sleeping apartment soon became 
exceedingly unpleasant and almost suffocating. This, to- 
gether with the steam arising: from our wet clothes, which 
had not in the least been dried since the soaking they 
received in the boat, while coming from the frigate, filled 
the hold with a noxious vapour, that was as difficult to 
breathe, as it proved unpleasant to our olfactories. My 
clothes did not become dry, till the third day after sailing, 
which gave me a severe cold, and from which I was not 
relieved for four months afterwards. This, added to my 
nervous head-ache, in no wise lessened by so close a stow- 
ing of myself in this second edition, with improvements 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 221 

upon the first, of Calcutta black-hole memory, made my 
case truly pitiable, and to many, a wonder I ever survived. 

Our confined apartment and wet clothing was not our 
greatest discomfort. The cable had been stowed away as 
it came dripping with the briny water and mud from the 
bed of the ocean : and between our bodies and this filth 
of all filth in the way of stench, was nothing except the 
scanty clothing each had upon his person ; nor was there 
any possibility of avoiding this cable, dirty and wet as it 
was ; for it was coiled" entirely upon the surface of our 
apartment, and when all had their places no space was 
left — not enough for one to straighten his great-toe, should 
it become crooked by the cramp, and require the usual 
antidote, a chafing or a pull, to give it its wonted comely 
appearance. My clothing I found too burthensome ; for 
be it known, I still retained my 'three suits.' Not wishing 
to endanger so valuable a wardrobe, by the pilfering my 
bag underwent, the first night I passed in the frigate, I 
kept them upon my back, wet, soaking wet as they were 
with salt water. Here, however, the precaution was unne- 
cessary, as we had arrived among another set, who were 
of less light-fingering propensities ; for whilst I was in the 
Pheasant, I never heard of a single theft, and I am certain 
none was punished for stealing, nor did a single complaint 
emanate from the prisoners that aught had been missed. 

This close contaminated air, made worse by the stench 
of the hold, became so offensive and suffocating before 
morning, that many were extremely sick, and seemingly 
only wished their end might come, to be at once rid of 
their torments and their misery. But little sleep was ob- 
tained this night by the prisoners ; nor was joking carried 
to the extent it had been the first night on board of the 
Leander. Each appeared absorbed with his own misery, 
and quietly sunk subdued under the over-burthen of his 
wretched condition, and the excruciating horror of mind 
with which he was suffering. 
19* v.l 



222 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

When morning came, and the hour arrived for the 
prisoners to crawl on deck, the sudden inhaling the fresh 
air had a peculiar effect upon the men, which I have never 
seen noticed in any accounts I have read of those similarly 
situated. No sooner did each get to the deck above our 
sleeping place, than his looks changed suddenly to a sickly 
pallidness, when he was seized with a partial fainting, or 
lassitude of nerve, or inability to muscular exertion, and 
would be compelled to drop to the planks, or rather ease 
himself down, where he would remain from half to one, 
two, or five minutes, till his strength and volition returned, 
and his partial sickness wore off; after which he would 
leisurely proceed on to the deck above, generally without 
taking any notice of this interruption himself, or the cir- 
cumstance being thought by others, as any thing unusual 
or of a serious nature. 

1 have often been amused, although I was as frequently 
thus affected as the others, at seeing the men come 
through the hatch, chattering away with their lively non- 
sense, — at once, the speaker would suddenly cease his 
talking, squat to the deck till the fainting or weakness 
passed off, when he would rise up and pursue alike his 
chat and his walk, apparently without knowing he had 
made a pause in the one, or a break in the other ; for his 
animation was restored almost as instantaneously as he 
had been deprived of it. As regards myself, I could 
scarcely perceive when I was affected until I was rid of the 
fainting. Apparently, it did not in the least affect my 
senses, yet many times when coming from below, I would 
form the resolution to brace up, not to give way, and, 
if possible, to avoid what proved inevitable — a relaxation 
of mind and a wilting to the deck. I would not know I 
had broken the contract, till too late to remedy my credit. 
To use a homely comparison, I could liken those spells to 
nothing but a want of energy to think, and a will not 
to submit without an effort. The seamen of the ship 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 223 

used jeeringly to say, we were christian bred, by thus 
returning thanks for the good accommodations afforded 
us the past night — meaning we were at our secret devo- 
tions, when becoming so silent all at once — rating our 
piety according to the manner each went to the deck. 
Some would drop to one knee only ; another would go 
plump upon both ; a third would imitate the eastern 
mode of doing homage, by coming on all-fours ; while a 
fourth would crumble down, and fall either back or face 
up, as the roll of the ship gave him the cant. The 
first position, by these never-ceasing lovers of fun, was 
compared, good ; the second, better ; the third, best ; 
whilst the fourth was said to be overdone, a semblance of 
devotion only belonging to a hypocrite. 

Who has not heard or read of the sufferings of those 
who were confined in the 'Jersey Prison Ship ?' But I 
will put the orlop-deck of the sloop-of-war Pheasant, as it 
was during my sojourn therein, against all that has been 
said or written (in truth) of the former ; and, moreover, if 
any one can conceive a place (on this terrestrial, mind ye) 
of the same size which contains more cubic inches of 
misery than that did, I will hold myself beaten, and he 
shall have the enjoyment of his new abode to himself, 
unmolested by me, for his powers of discovery. 

We soon found, after getting to sea, the difference 
between the accommodations of the frigate during the day, 
and those to which we now had to submit, was very great. 
In that of the former, we were allowed the range of the 
decks and free converse with the crew ; but here, we were 
restricted to as small a portion of the gun-deck as we could 
be made to stow ourselves together, with sentries so placed 
as to prevent us from walking a step from our prison limits, 
and to prohibit us from holding any conversation with the 
crew of the ship, who were said to be in a dissatisfied 
state, bordering on mutiny ; yet they showed nothing in 
their behaviour, that this was the case, but, on the con- 



224 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

trary, ever appeared with a ready willingness to aid in the 
duties of the ship, in storm or calm. 

Besides being prohibited from exercising ourselves by 
walking the deck, alone, a serious deprivation after the 
many hours of confinement below, we were much worse 
fed than when in the frigate. The bullocks taken in at 
Fayal, were slaughtered as they were wanted, and the 
meat given to us boiled in its fresh state, without a particle 
of salt, and bull beef, withal ; about as nauseous a dish as 
flesh and water can make, or as mawkish a stew as flesh 
and blood can stand. Why we were not allowed salt, we 
could not learn, unless it was to save us from the thirst it 
unavoidably creates, without the possibility of its being 
fully relieved ; for the ship was short of water, the crew 
upon a limited allowance, and the prisoners restricted to a 
tin pot filled but once a day, and that of a bad quality, 
partaking, in nearly equal parts, of water, gluten, acid and 
animalculse — not requiring the aid of a microscope to dis- 
cover their colour, make and propensities. This was given 
to us with the choice of swallowing the whole at once, or to 
throw overboard, and let our appetites sharpen till the next 
day's allowance of the same kind came again. I used 
generally to preserve mine in my tin cup, which I still 
retained, made fast with a lan-yarn to a button, in the 
fashion of my jack-knife, till my thirst enabled me to 
overcome my squeamishness, and slake it by a little at odd 
periods ; whilst, between times, I could enjoy myself by 
watching the gambolings of the sinuous shole which it con- 
tained, the rascals appearing the more frolicsome by having 
fallen into hands, whose daintiness gained them a short 
respite, that the greater part of their fraternity knew nothing 
of. By thus dividing my allowance, and lengthening it 
throughout the day, I suffered far less than others did, who 
were compelled to drink the whole of theirs, for the want 
of something to keep a portion in till another period. 

The only pastime we had, was to munch our allowance 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 225 

of Portuguese bread, given to us each day, which differed 
from every thing of the bread kind I had ever before heard 
of. It appeared to me to be made of cracked Indian corn, 
baked in irregular angular-shaped balls, about the size of 
an egg, without salt, and so exceedingly hard, that it re- 
quired an hour's tough work, with a good set of teeth, to 
get through with one of them. The five or six each of us 
received daily, generally gave us employment till we were 
piped below ; and even there, in that place of utter dark- 
ness, could be heard, in different parts of the hold, men 
whose teeth were such as would not enable them to com- 
plete the task during their hours on deck, gnawing at these 
bread-balls of granite hardness and grit, whilst, as regards 
taste and digestion, they were closely allied to anthracite. 

It was really amusing to see fifty persons cooped up 
within the space of three or four guns, on one side of the 
deck, busily engaged grubbing away with the earnestness 
of piece-workers, for hours together, without apparently 
making any more impression upon these balls of rubble- 
stone shape, than upon their own appetites. It was like 
the attempt to gnaw the adhering parts from a cling-stone 
peach — the more labour bestowed, the more slippery the 
ball became, but nothing less in size, while the teeth were 
grating a harsh dislike at the slippery tricks put upon them 
by their sliding opponents. 

At my left one day, I overheard the following dialogue, 
of little interest to the reader, yet had he been thus simi- 
larly situated, he would have had his mind diverted, and 
found a momentary relief, even from these coarse jokers, 
with a thankful heart, that relief could be had from any 
source. 

'I say, Phil, let's take a game at balls, as there is nothing 
better offers in the way of amusements.' 

'Done, my old hearty ; and I'll bet the first drink at to- 
morrow's grog, that I will be through with mine, two 
bells sooner than you are with yours.' 



226 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

'You mean it will be through you two bells earlier, else 
you never would make so rash a bet with those stubby 
teeth, which are not fit for soft tack, let alone this hard- 
ware gingerbread concern, fashioned from brickbats, baked 
in the sun, and only suitable for langrage shot; for no 
enemy would stand for a second grist, if scratched by the 
first.' 

'Bolt it,' said a third one, 'as I did yesterday, after 
-spending the best part of two watches at gnawing the cor- 
ners, so that it might not hang fire by the way, when I 
grew desperate at the small headway I was making, and 
swallowed it as it was ; but it is yet rolling about in my 
inner bosom, like a stray shot across the forecastle deck, 
with a stiff breeze to keep it in motion.' 

'Try the hair of the same dog, if you would be rid of 
your trouble ; by stowing a couple more side by side in 
the same tier, they will roll and box together, till, like 
the Kilkenny cats, they destroy each other; then your 
teeth and labour may be spared for better purposes.' 

'While you are at it,' said another, 'throw down a few 
belaying-pins, together with the loblolly-boy to set them 
up, and I and Pete Wilson will follow, and take a game 
of nine-pins.' 

'A shilling a game, one-half to the loser, and its 
clinched.' 

T have heard of a scratch game, but till now, I was 
ignorant of its meaning,' said one who was gulping and 
jerking his neck forwards, as though he was striving to 
add a few more inches to its length, but could not do it 
till first ascertaining of what portion of India rubber it 
consisted. 

'Scratched ! why, I'm blessed if my throat ain't raked 
past cure, by the one I swallowed yesterday.' 

'It's a blessing granted, by giving us wherewith to make 
a long meal,' came from one, with looks of solemnity. 

'Egad, long it is ; for grub me into a box to hold a chain 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. &>7 

cable, and pay it out every half hour, if I wern't chewing 
my dinner yesterday, while the barkey was running down 
two degrees of latitude, and then had soldier rations left.' 
'What do you mean by soldier rations, Pete ?' 
'Why, whatever an honest blue-jacket leaves, to be 
sure — too good for such, if it's only the smell of the pan- 
niken that last held the grog.' 

'Pete ! did you never study the primer! — to call a name 
in vain which is held so sacred ?' 

'I don't know, Jerry, that I have blasphemed.' 
'If scarce means sacred,' grog is the only sanctified mat- 
ter here, and you named it in the same breath with a 
marine.' 

'If I live to return, I will prove my repentance by 
taking a double allowance, at short watches, and stand at 
the head of the saints.' 

'Yes, if your deliverance depends upon heavy drinking, 
your redemption is sure, and for a chaw o'tobacco I'll take 
your chance.' 

'At the panniken, if well charged with a real stifF'ner, 
no doubt you would, but what you'd leave, would'nt be 
worth a second-hand chew, picked out of the lee scuppers.' 
Such jestings, common-place and coarse as they were, 
helped materially to wear away the time, which every 
day's sameness proved more and more oppressive and 
wearisome. 

After we were at sea a few days, we came into a cooler 
atmosphere, which, though pleasant for a time, continued 
to grow more so, till it was uncomfortablv cold. 

The officers and men of the sloop-of-war, were as unlike 
those in the frigate, as they were unlike the most quiet 
family circle ashore. No blustering, swearing, yelling, 
nor bravado, was indulged in by the superiors towards 
those under them ; and the men too were as orderly and 
still as though but half a dozen were in the vessel, and 
these shipped expressly for good behaviour. Why it was 



228 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

the crew could not be trusted, I never learned ; but so it 
proved, for a part of them were sent from the ship, on 
her arrival in England, and others brought on board in 
their stead. 

One of the junior lieutenants was of a social turn, and 
did not fear lessening his standing by holding conversation 
with the prisoners, as many others did, who looked upon 
us as only felons, and probably supposed none were 
worthy of a nod, who were born beyond the island they 
hailed from, which to them contained all that was civil- 
ized. I have passed hours in conversation with this 
officer, who was striving to learn as much of the geogra- 
phy and general appearance of America, and the man- 
ners, ways and customs of its inhabitants, as he could 
gather from me and others — multiplying his inquiries to 
irksomeness, upon subjects on which I had to tax my 
memory to desperation, often making bold assertions, 
depending upon my future study to prove their truth or 
fallacy ; and even with this I often feared my knowledge 
of geology, geography, and physiology, was not duly 
appreciated, or was doubted by the better remembered 
readings of my loquacious lieutenant, though he had the 
politeness never to say so. Yet, I could not interpret his 
often suppressed smile to my credit, neither at the lucid- 
ness of my learning, nor to the triteness of my memory ; 
but the rather had to set it down to my confirmed impu- 
dence, for making assertions I could not back with any 
author extant. 

I thought he was about as unfit for the naval service, as 
any one I had seen ; yet he was always at his duty and 
generally esteemed by the men. He was calculated to 
shine in genteel society, and possessed the attributes of a 
well educated and polished gentleman. But there was 
certainly some mistake, when his present employment 
was chosen for him, as it was fully evident by his conver- 
sation, he did not follow it by his own free will, but by 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 229 

the desires of others, that one in the family should be- 
come distinguished. To this he may have arrived ere 
now, but it must be by interest, rather than by naval 
acquirements gained by enthusiasm for the service ; for if 
he would fight when he could avoid it, no man ever ought 
to be condemned till proved chicken-hearted. 

I find it about as difficult to make this chapter accepta- 
ble to my readers, as I then did to make the time of this 
monotonous sail to England agreeable to myself. Then 
I would take my straddle upon a gun in the morning, and 
thereon sit till piped below in the afternoon, nothing 
better offering upon which to while away the hours. I 
used to spur most furiously, to keep my blood from be- 
coming entirely stagnant — knowing mine to be a steed ot 
metal, whose snort is greater than the war-horse of the 
desert, whose kick is like the battering-ram of old, and 
whose prancing thunders, when bereft of charge, is only 
equalled by its fiery spirit, which, when once ignited, like 
the lightning's flash, cannot be staid — and whose kick, 
snort, prancing, thunder and lightning combined, carrying 
ruin and death in its path, are not unlike the pallid horse 
of holy writ, (rider excepted, who always rode facing the 
breech) and but little less destructive. But now I have not 
even the gun to spur on to the end of the chapter, and 
but little material to work upon, so much was one day 
like another. 

I have before mentioned that singing and joking was not 
carried to so great a length, as it was in the hold of the 
frigate ; but seamen are seldom at a loss for diversion of 
some kind, place them where you will. So here, instead 
of harmlessly rigging their comrades, they fell to work in 
downright good earnest, to pummeling each other, in a 
spree that was kicked up one night when below, which at 
the time I condemned most heartily ; but, short-sighted 
mortals that we are, no doubt it was expressly so ordered, 
to afford subject to complete this, but otherwise, half a 
20 v.l 



230 * SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

chapter. This was the only instance of a fight, or even a 
misunderstanding having occurred, between the different 
members of the brig's crew, from the time of her sailing, 
till we reached our homes after our imprisonment, with the 
exception of the one already recorded as taking place on 
the decks of the Leander. 

We had been below one night some time, when he that 
was our steward in the brig, ever a grumbler, complained 
that the man underneath his hammock, disturbed him, by 
frequently nudging it, which prevented him from sleeping. 
The accused declared he had not touched it, except as 
he shifted from side to side, to ease his aching ribs from 
the rough fakes of the cable he was grinding upon, and 
then only because there was not sufficient space between 
the hammock and himself, to allow him to turn without 
grazing it. This might have satisfied any reasonable per- 
son, but the steward seemed determined to find fault, 
while the one underneath was soon in the humour of 
turning every five minutes or oftener, as either his bones 
ached, or his love of mischief increased. 

At last the steward grew hot with anger, and swore he 
was scurvily treated, by thus being placed among the 
blackguards, whilst he ought to have quarters assigned him 
as one of the officers of the brig. He never had been a 
favourite with the men, and this speech did not in the 
least soften the ill will, or lessen the misunderstanding 
which time had engendered ; for before it was fairly out, 
and the whole of the haug-dog crew duly conveyed to the 
lower regions, his hammock lashing was slipped from the 
fastening at one end, bringing him down 'head on,' while 
his heels were pillowed higher than most people would 
call comfortable, even without the roll of the ship to aid 
him in his awkward predicament. 

The chap the steward fell upon, said he had bargained 
for no such covering, and forthwith pushed him beyond 
his premises, to the top of another, who, in turn, did not 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 231 

fail to lend him a shove forwards, singing out for his neigh- 
bour to 'heave ahead — keep moving,' which might have 
b.een continued till the present time, before the steward 
could have been shoved into a vacant place ; for, as I 
before said, the space below was only sufficient for two 
layers, and every inch of room was occupied by the under 
one, wedged to a decided jam, without reference to a 
dictionary to know its meaning. At last, the steward's 
steam, by the buffetings he was so lavishly receiving, was 
raised to fighting guage, and he began to lay about him 
lustily, as little knowing whom he hit in the dark, as did 
those know to whom they returned the licks they them- 
selves were so unwillingly receiving, till all in the hold 
were giving and receiving blows from friends as well 
as from foes. 

My position was such as to be out of harm's way at the 
beo-innino- of the fracas, but I was soon able to understand 
that the belligerents would fight their battles, in part at 
least, upon the territories of the neutrals ; and knowing it 
was better to join sides with the one party, than to contend 
with both, with no chance of redress of grievances from 
either, in case of disasters, as is usually the predicament 
with neutrals, especially when in the minority, I entered at 
once into an offensive and defensive league with my two 
side companions, sturdy fellows, who feared nothing, to 
mutually fight for, against, with, and at all aggressors, 
come they from where they might. 

This was an advantageous coalition for me. (I wish my 
colleagues had as good grounds to boast of their negotia- 
tions,) for which, at the time, I prided myself no little, by 
displaying so much of the diplomatist. The advantage the 
reader can at once see, and to see, is but to enter into my 
notions of self-praise, when he fully understands the nature 
of the ground we occupied, as well as that now in the pos- 
session of the belligerents. My head was protected by a 
partition in such a manner, that no foe could assail me 



232 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

from that direction, either by force or stratagem. Upon 
my right and left, I was likewise securely flanked by my 
sturdy colleagues, in whom I had the most implicit confi- 
dence, and left each to maintain his ground as best he 
could without my interference, well knowing nothing 
could reach me over them, till they were effectually 
silenced. So now, I had nothing to defend but the ante- 
rior portion of the citadel, which was made impregnable 
by a pair of moveable chevaux-de-frize, each drove by fear, 
of ten-horse power, in readiness to be set in operation the 
instant they could be worked to advantage without waste 
of steam. 

The only restrictive article enjoined upon the parties of 
this coalition, was, that none should leave the territories 
occupied, (another item in my favour,) to seek a fight with 
the belligerents, however any one's individual propensities 
mio-ht bias him to lend a hand to a friend like to be 
worsted, (I felt certain I could not have abandoned my 
faithful colleagues, nor break the contract for a dozen re- 
treating parties, each headed by a cousin direct,) but each 
to remain where he was, and battle it manfully, even 
should he be attacked by the main body and reserve at the 
same time, with a prospect of his rear being menaced, and 
his retreat cut off by the light troops and flankers ; in fact, 
no excuse would avail for either party of the coalition to 
leave his post a moment. I most heroically stood at mine, 
and kept a watchful eye upon my companions, that they 
should not abandon theirs, knowing that our safety, or 
mine at least, depended mainly upon a union of strength. 

As we are waiting for the enemy's onset, a suspense 
many times much more painful to be borne than the ensu- 
ing contest, we will relieve our anxiety, as well as that of 
the reader, by taking a look on deck, where the din and 
noise has long since reached, and preparations are making 
to quell us, who are the cause of this uproar in the lower 
regions of their good ship Pheasant. The marines at the 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 233 

hatchway were peremptorily ordered below ; but they 
quailed at the landing, and held back. The sergeant of 
the guard next essayed to do a deed that would have won 
him his epaulet, and placed him at the ward-room mess- 
table ; but he, too, paused and pondered, as soon as he 
came in sight of the flying phalanx below, wielding their 
engines of war, with a recklessness of danger alike fatal to 
friend or foe ; and when fairly comprehending the nature 
of the job he had so rashly undertaken to accomplish, he 
jumped back, as though unexpectedly beset by a dozen 
hungry lions. I now heard the heavy tread and gruff voice 
of the first lieutenant, whose bold bearing and every linea- 
ment told nothing of fear, approaching with all the John 
Bull spirit he could force to the brim, swearing roundly, he 
•could quell all the damned Yankees afloat with a wink of 
his eye,' rattling his cutlass so we should not mistake his 
meaning; and, without faltering at the edge of the hatch- 
way, he at once leaped below amongst us, with his naked 
sword glistening from the liarht in the watch lantern above, 
in readiness to back the 'wink,' should it not have the 
desired effect. 

But unfortunately for the renown of this bold one, who 
had volunteered to uphold the sway of England's glory, 
and maintain her stern naval discipline to the end, a re- 
treating party in the hold had that moment rallied with 
renewed vigour, and after a deadly struggle had succeeded 
in driving their assailants back, with such precipitation as 
nearly to upset this heart of oak, who was in the way of 
the back-heaving current. This, together with the shout 
and 3'ell that followed from the rallying and now victorious 
party, as well as the death screams of the vanquished, and 
a few scattering missiles of shoes, hats, and whatever else 
could be grasped in the dark, made the ground too hot for 
his Britannic majesty's lieutenant, and he leaped back, the 
way he so lately came, with renewed zeal and alacrity, 
without stopping to inquire whether the kicks, cuffs and 
20* v.l 



234 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

blows he had received, were intentional or by accident — 
saying as he made his exit, 'they are a murdering set, and 
the quicker they kill each other, the better will it be for 
those who have them to feed ; for they have as little re- 
spect for a king's officer as they have for themselves.' 

The prisoners were left to fight out their fight in the 
dark, to their hearts' content, which was continued for 
nearly two hours ; and only then brought to a close by the 
officer of the deck saying he would take the steward 
under his keeping, so that the others might no more be 
annoyed by his company. 

I came off scatheless, except now and then a blow, 
which served to make me the more vigilant, as well as to 
inform me I was still in the way of danger; but whether 
these came from an enemy or my colleagues in the strife, 
the darkness and hurry did not permit me to say at the 
time, and nothing has since fallen in my way upon which 
I can rely as truth. But I have reason to believe, from 
sources uninteresting to the reader, my colleagues received 
the greatest share of the favours intended for my use and 
benefit ; as I kept plying my feelers most lavishly, when- 
ever I felt a set of ribs within reach to my liking, without 
asking to whom they belonged. This, it appeared, was an 
exceedingly great annoyance, and roused the ire of those 
kicked, from whence they knew not, and by whom they 
could not tell, but who returned their dues upon those 
nearest at hand, and towards the place whither they sup- 
posed the kicks emanated, (swerving either to the right or 
left, to avoid a repetition of what proved so to their dis- 
taste,) without keeping tally whether they were cancelling 
a claim or running in debt, but kept scoring away, with an 
utter disregard as to knowing on which side of the account 
the balance was accumulating. 

There was one chap who for some days afterwards com- 
plained sadly of the soreness of his kidneys, and gravely 
averred such blows never could have proceeded from a 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 235 

fist. I thought ditto. Had I been anxious to display my 
knowledge, I could have told the owner of the diseased 
kidneys, of the body that the foot belonged to, that had 
preferred this spot in preference to any other, to plant the 
kicks in, for the purpose of closing an account of long 
standing ; but not wishing to make a display of my lore, I 
was as ignorant as the unconscious heel that had done the 
mischief. Black eyes were much more abundant the next 
day and the week following, than were good dinners for 
the rest of our passage to England. 

In the above battle, I may have erred in some of the 
manoeuvres, it being my first upon the ocean, in which I 
had 'fleshed my maiden' — shoe-heel, (the exact quota- 
tion disremembered;) if so, and there be any tactition who 
can do better, he shall retain both the honours of the fight 
and possession of the battle-field undisputed by me, pro- 
vided the latter is done by himself in propria persona. 

We had been about ten days in the Pheasant, when in 
addition to my nervous head-ache and heavy cold, that 
had fallen upon my lungs, I was taken one night after 
being below about two hours, with a severe cramp in my 
breast, which was greatly aggravated by the position in 
which I was obliged to continue. After suffering an hour, 
some of my shipmates prevailed on the sentry to acquaint 
the surgeon that one of the prisoners was exceedingly ill, 
and begged permission for me to be conveyed to the 
cock-pit for his assistance. Word came, that 'the sick 
prisoners would be administered to as usual, at from half 
past eight to nine o'clock, and the regulations of the ship 
did not admit of the infringement of orders already esta- 
blished.' Before going for relief, I had to suffer two 
hours longer; and when assisted to the surgeon's room, he 
merely gave me a powder, with a request to call at nine 
next morning, and say how I felt. 

I was compelled to go again to my uncomfortable berth, 
and remain either to live or die in the dark, as I might ; 



236 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

for no further relief could I expect till twelve hours should 
elapse, so little was the life of a fellow-mortal in the eyes 
of the surgeon, in comparison to the adopted orders of the 
ship. The horrors of that dismal night were too great 
even for remembrance. Had I but a drop of water to 
assuage the parchings of my fevered tongue, brought on 
by the agony of the inward cramps, or a pillow to ease 
my aching head from the rough cable beneath — made the 
more racking by the unceasing motions of the ship, it 
would have been a relief. A part of the night I was un- 
conscious of any thing, and when enabled at lucid spells 
to reflect upon my situation, I could scarcely hope to see 
daylight again. 

Thanks to a kind Providence, the cramps lessened be- 
fore morning, and when it was time for me to call on the 
surgeon, I was entirely free from pain, but was left with 
considerable fever, unusual debility and great soreness in 
the breast. When going to the doctor in the morning, he 
asked how the powder had operated ? I replied it had 
relieved me of the cramps, several hours after taking it. 
but it had not operated at all. He appeared for a moment 
uneasy, saying, 'it was strong enough to go through my 
ribs, unless cased with iron,' and gave me another of the 
same kind, with instructions to take it immediately, to 
prevent the first doing me mischief. I took it, but not the 
way I had taken the first, neither according to his orders, 
but to throw overboard, which I did as soon as I went on 
deck, not wishing to risk my ribs to any farther such trials 
as he in his practice chose to put them to, in trying to 
ascertain the strength of his powders. Besides, his volun- 
teering a pitched battle with my ribs was without solicita- 
tion on my part, and altogether gratuitous on his side, as I 
had distinctly stated the disease was in the breast and 
nowhere else. But then probably it might have been a 
part of his code of practice, by counteraction, to create a 
worse disease than the one complained of. I resolved in 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 237 

my own mind to go to him no more, preferring to lie down 
and die without any assistance, than putting myself under 
the treatment of an ignoramus, or, otherwise, one that was 
quite indifferent as to what result his prescription might 
lead. In a day or two I felt much better, and had reason 
to be thankful I had not again applied to the surgeon for 
physic. 

On the twenty-fifth of January, early in the morning, 
there was an unusual stirring on deck ; and when eight 
o'clock came, the hour for the prisoners to go up, we were 
told to remain where we were ; that but two at a time 
could go to the deck, and then only by permission. I 
soon had an excuse to go above, and managed to stay there 
long enough to see what was going on, when I was obliged 
to tramp below, to make room for others, whose necessi- 
ties or inquisitiveness were as strong as mine. I framed, 
feigned and plead excuses to get on deck three several 
times, at each making such observations as my awakened 
curiosity prompted. This, with the little I could gather 
from the orders given to the men by their superiors, ena- 
bled me to learn the reason of the precaution of keeping 
us below, and calling the crew of the ship to quarters. 

A sail was discovered dead to the windward of the 
sloop-of-war, bearing down under a heavy press of can- 
vass, which the captain supposed to be an American priva- 
teer, as was evident, by all hands being at their stations, 
the ship hove- to, ports shut, and the vessel otherwise dis- 
guised so as to appear not as a man-of-war. She was 
manoeuvring with the intention of decoying the stranger 
within the range of her guns, when she would be at once 
within her grasp. 

The position which the strange sail held, was such as to 
enable her to do no little damage to the ship we were in, 
provided she had a long gun amidships, upon a pivot, as 
most vessels of her class had, while she could still keep 
out of harm's way of the Pheasant, by her being to wind- 



238 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

ward, and by the superiority of her sailing. The British 
commander knew very well the predicament he was in, if 
the schooner could make out the nature of his ship, and 
was determined on either mischief or sport ; for his short 
carronades (the Pheasant had but two long guns, and 
those were but of small calibre,) could do no damage 
against the long-tom of the schooner, which was now 
nearing him every moment, causing him much uneasiness, 
as could plainly be seen by the workings of his counte- 
nance and the furtive glances he was throwing both alow 
and aloft, whilst his to and fro uneven walks of haste and 
agitation, as clearly demonstrated that his upper spars 
were not proof against round shot, nor his sails any the 
more valuable by being riddled with grape. 

As the schooner was coming within the range of her 
long-torn, the anxiety was exceedingly great ; for instances 
had occurred during the war, of small privateers with but 
a single sun of large calibre, attacking larger vessels than 
the one we were in, when the smaller had the advantage 
of the wind and sailing; and after planting a few round 
shot into the ribs of her proud enemy, she would haul up 
and be off— the skylarking captain chuckling over the feat 
he had performed, as he enters it in his log for future pub- 
lication, whilst his powerful enemy is grinding over his 
discontent, at having been so scurvilv treated by the admi- 
ralty board, by being put in command of a hulk with no 
sailing qualities, and guns only fit for close quarters, and 
subject to the insult of every piccaroon who might choose 
to exercise his skill at gunnery for mere pastime, by making- 
him his target. The chagrin of the discomfited commander 
made the more sour, by knowing that every print in Chris- 
tendom will hand down to posterity, as an exhibition 
worthy of remembrance, the circumstance of his humility. 
The schooner showed no colours, but came boldly on 
till within range of the guns of the ship, when it was sup- 
posed she could not be an enemy, and thus run directly 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 239 

into the jaws of destruction ; still, the anxiety was not 
lessened, although all former fear of her impudence had 
passed away. She came within hailing distance, but did 
not shorten sail nor heave-to. While passing close astern 
of the ship she answered the hail, and proved to be a Por- 
tuguese schooner, but four days from England. To the 
question, 'what news,' she answered distinctly in English, 
so as to be heard by all on deck — 'Peace is declared 
between Great Britain and the United States of 
North America.' 

It was now, 'hurrah ! my boys' — 'tumble up, prison- 
ers' — 'bear-a-hand, my hearties' — 'stand by for three- 
times-three for Great Britain and the United States.' 
Now was all hail-fellow-well-met, and nothing thought of 
but cheer and joyous hilarity. The officers of the sloop- 
of-war enjoyed the good news equally as well, to all out- 
ward show, as did we the prisoners, and for a time re- 
laxed the taut-strained discipline of the ship. There was 
not a boy on board, that was not rejoicing and showing his 
merriment, by the many antics he was striving to display 
about the decks, his joy quickening his agility to the 
nimbleness of the monkey. All was congratulation, good 
humour, and jollity. 

The very purser's steward entered heart and mind into 
the speculation of being discharged from the service ; to 
corroborate which, I am more than pleased at having 
authority to show for it ; otherwise, upon the occasion of 
so much rejoicing, a man'3 simple assertion has but little 
weight, and might be passed over as naught. It happened 
to be my turn this morning to draw the day's rations for 
the mess, and so fully was the mind of the purser occu- 
pied with leaving the vessel, that he overlooked the extra 
pound of bread he threw into the scales, and gave down 
weight with that. This extra allowance, (the first fruits of 
a glorious peace — may it be lasting, and at its close bring 
the like good fortune to those who may thus appreciate its 



240 SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 

blessings, by a full, candid and impartial admission of be- 
nefit' received,) was duly distributed to my messmates, as 
though they of right had claim to it, (and may the future 
beneficiary in the same generous manner make as good a 
disposition of his showered gifts.) This generosity on my 
part, was gratefully acknowledged by the mess, and a 
proposition made that I should stand cook each day for the 
remainder of the voyage, as a reward for the good luck I 
had brought them. The intended honour was appre- 
ciated, but the post most respectfully declined, as I was 
fully satisfied with my turn as it came, without taking 
from the others their share of this highly honourable 
office. There were other duties pertaining to the sta- 
tion, besides drawing extra rations, without its perquisites, 
which were, to keep in suitable condition our kitchen 
utensils; each one being accountable for the whole during 
the day he was officiating ; when at the expiration of his 
term, he must render an account of what he had in hand, 
and give up both office and emoluments to his successor. 
I have since heard much of rotation in office, but this 
plan of our mess was the only one I ever saw work prac- 
tically well, for during our whole cruise, none who held 
this highly trust-worthy station, ever embezzled, or re- 
tained it a moment longer than his legitimate term 
required ; probably, by our having no releasements by 
bond, less chance of an escape abroad, with a dead cer- 
tainty of a lambasting following conviction, instanter. 

From this time till our arrival in England, we had a 
greater range of the deck, and were permitted to converse 
more freely with the crew, than previous to receiving this 
news, which not a little lightened our captivity the re- 
maining few days we were on ship-board. We also were 
assured by the officers, that no sooner than reaching port, 
we should be transferred to a cartel, and immediately 
sent back to our homes, which we had but so lately left. 
Our fare varied not, however, from what it had been, 



SAILING FOR ENGLAND. 041 

except, in lieu of fresh beef, the bullocks being all slaugh- 
tered, we had our allowance in salt-junk, which we found 
infinitely preferable to a boiled marrow-bone, without salt. 
We suffered much by thirst, not onl} r by the scantiness 
and putrid state of the w r ater, but by the manner it was 
dealt out to us — but once a day, and at a time, perhaps, 
when many did not require it. 

We likewise suffered severely from the severity of the 
weather, it being intensely cold, bringing with it sleet and 
hail, for two or three days before reaching our port of des- 
tination. Still we did not mind it, as we were buoyed up 
with the prospect of soon being on our return home, where 
many of us now wished ourselves in safety. I, for one, 
w r as no little disappointed at the prospect of thus suddenly 
being sent back the same track, I had but so recently 
come, wishing to see something of England, that I could 
say hereafter, 'I had been abroad.' For this purpose I 
asked my sociable lieutenant if it were not possible to get 
permission to go on shore and spend a few days after our 
arrival, previous to being sent again across the Atlantic. 
He replied, 'very probably, but it will depend much upon 
circumstances, and the respectability of the parties making 
the application.' I thought the chance was small of my 
seeing aught of England ; and probably the mind of the 
reflective reader has already subscribed to the same senti- 
ment, else I should go more fully into the sage cogitations 
Which brought mine about. 



21 v.l 



242 



CHAP. XV. 

ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 

The whole of the twenty-ninth of January, we were 
within sight of the white chalky cliffs of England, but 
with so boisterous a head-wind that we made but little 
progress. The sight of these cliffs from our ship was 
cheerless in the extreme, for no portion exhibited the least 
indication of either fertility or life ; — nothing could be 
discerned but the low white-covered shores of this angry 
and troubled ocean, whose waves, by the fierceness of the 
head wind that we were vainly contending against, were 
tossing the ship about and baffling her crew in their every 
exertion, in a way that showed but little chance of their 
accomplishing their object; for as often as we stretched 
towards the land after an hour's beating, so often would 
the wind balk all the trials made, and drift the vessel 
apparently farther out to sea. 

It was supposed that we should be enabled to reach the 
harbour of Plymouth about two o'clock on the morning of 
the thirtieth ; and more than once I feigned an excuse to 
go on deck, for the purpose of seeing the entrance to this 
far-famed naval station. Put at twelve o'clock, the ship 
was struck with a squall, and taken directly aback; when, 
in wareing round, she came very near being capsized with 
the violence of the wind ; this obliged her to put out sea- 
ward for more room, and she ran before the gale several 
hours, with a velocity much greater than she had pre- 
viously done, whilst endeavouring to gain the shore. 

A midshipman, during this boisterous night, for some 
misdemeanor, was compelled to take a two-hours' look-out 
from the mast-head, as did the delinquent dandy on board 
of our brig, some two nights before she was captured. I 



ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. 243 

happened to go on deck just as his mast-heading service 
ended, when he came down literally covered with icicles, 
and so benumbed with the cold, as scarcely to be able to 
speak. 

When morning came, the cliffs that we were viewing 
the day before, were out of sight, with little indications of 
our again seeing them for the day. However, the wind 
chopped about till it came to a favourable quarter, when 
all sail was crowded on the yards, that could be spread, 
and shortly we were again within sight of land, which 
appeared more and more cheerful to the eye of the 
beholder, each hour as we drew nearer and nearer to it. 

At ten o'clock, a. m. we came to anchor far up in the 
harbour of Plymouth, having passed numerous vessels, 
when running in, of every fashion and rig ; as well as 
many forts and views which were not only picturesque, 
but extremely interesting to those who never before had 
seen the entrance to this romantic harbour. 

I was much surprised at the sudden and great number 
of boats, which were awaiting for the ship to anchor, 
loaded to their gunwales with eatables and gew-gaws of 
every description, to entice the hard-earned money from 
the pockels of the sailors. Many of these boats were 
occupied by those who were prepared for traffic ; — long- 
bearded Jews, woolly-mouthed christians, blarney-primed 
Irish, burley-bellied English, and skip-jack grinning 
Frenchmen, were all eager to show off the good qualities 
of their merchandise, and depreciate, that of their neigh- 
bour, each with an earnestness, dialect, and grimace 
peculiar to himself. But the greater portion of the boats 
contained the wives and children of the seamen, who 
came off to welcome again their husbands and fathers to 
their homes. I could not account for this prepared recep- 
tion, till I was informed the ship had been telegraphed 
early in the morning of the day previous, and that her 
arrival was anticipated with certainty. 



244 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

It being on Sunday that we arrived, the people from the 
shore had a better opportunity of visiting the ship, than 
they would have had on any other day in the week, 
which accounted for the vast number of persons who 
came off to see their friends, all claiming relations on 
board, which procured them permission to enter with 
freedom. I thought at one time, half the people of Eng- 
land had the largest share of their relatives in this vessel, 
so numerously they appeared, and so constantly were they 
going and coming this entire day of our arrival. 

There was one man in the Pheasant, I think the captain 
of the fore-top, who was as much esteemed by his ship- 
mates, as he was a general favourite among those who 
came off from the shore ; for there was scarcely a boat 
that had not a wife, a sister, or mother of his on board, of 
all ages, from the gay, laughter-loving lass of sixteen, to 
the staid matron of fifty. Nay, some were entirely 
freighted and peopled with those pertaining to his family, 
by far the greater part (children excepted) claiming him 
to be their liege lord. Had he but the least portion of 
these motley and bedizzened families to provide for, his 
chance was small of becoming rich from the savings of 
his monthly pay, or paying off the debt of his nation, 
should he wish to be handed down to posterity as a public 
benefactor. However, this bashaw in disposition and 
enjoyments, knew where good living could be had, and 
how to keep on the fair-weather side of those who rioted 
in abundance, if one be allowed the privilege of an 
opinion, by the store of eatables each brought off for the 
regaling: of themselves whilst visiting the ship, and the 
carte-blanche for free quarters he enjoyed with the whole 
troop day and night. 

That sailors had a wife in each port they touched at, 
I was aware, but this adding legions to the number, I was 
not prepared to see, and only proved my ignorance in 
these matters. But were all wives to provide as liberally 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 245 

as these did, it certainly is not so uncomfortable to have 
them in abundance. 

To show the number of females that flock to these men- 
of-war, as they return to port, I will relate what a man has 
since told me, who had served for seven years, as quarter- 
master on board of a seventy-four. At a time when in 
harbour, he had the curiosity to ascertain the number of 
women on board, and went round asking a pin from each, 
with a request, should he call a second time to be refused. 
He continued his gatherings till he had upwards of seven 
hundred, and yet from none, did he take more than 
one pin. 

About an hour earlier than usual, on the morning after 
our arrival, the prisoners were piped up, with the com» 
mand, as near as we could learn, from the deep growl of 
the boatswain, 'to bear-a-hand, and go ashore.' 

'Ah!' said one, 'we have found favour, and will go 
ashore to see the city this morning, so as to be back time 
enough for dinner.' 

i would sooner take the dinner without going on shore, 
if it's all the same to the skipper; for I am sharp-set 
enough now, to eat the head from a nine inch bolt with- 
out spice or salt,' came from another. 

'Hold on with your appetite, and you will be in better 
trim to show your respects to the shore-grub that you may 
fall in with,' chimed in a third. 

'A walk on land will give one an appetite, after the 
cooping up w r e have had, beyond the means of satisfying 
it. without the slight fasting of nineteen hours.' 

'For one, my appetite is sufficiently sharp as it is with- 
out the walk.' 

'And so is mine : for since yesterday I have tasted 
nothing, but a thimble-full of pea-soup, not enough to say 
whether it was victuals or physic' 

'Physic me into a figure-head, to lap cold spray, and 
watch sharks making love to dolphins, but I would go 
21* v.l 



246 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND . 

ashore and list, rather than stay here longer, in this dog's 
hole we are forced to sleep in.' 

'Aye, that would I too, Jack ; for here one breaks his 
fast less often, than he does some one of the ten command- 
ments, and at this rate, when shall we receive absolution ?' 

'If fasting brings holiness, I have been free from sin, 
since twelve of yesterday, for since then I have not broken 
it; but it's a severe way of proving one's reformation.' 

'Yes, I'm blessed if it is'nt, for I have tried it, and find 
the cure worse than the ailment.' 

'And,' said one who had not before spoken,' if I am not 
blessedly mistaken, you will not break your fast again for 
twenty-four hours yet io come, unless you take a slice 
from your shoe heel ; for depend upon it, this early going 
ashore before breakfast is served out, means nothing more 
nor less than tramping to prison.' 

So it proved; for in less than thirty minutes after we 
were called, the prisoners were tumbling over the side of 
the ship, bag and baggage, into a launch prepared for the 
purpose. Each sixth man, as he passed the gangway, had 
thrust into his hands or pockets, the mess' rations for the 
day, of hard biscuit and a piece of raw salt beef, dripping 
from the briny tub, out of which it was but just taken, and 
transferred to us, who could make no use of it on our 
march, in its uncooked state. This was all we had from 
twelve o'clock the day previous till the day following. 

The distance from the anchorage to the landing, as near 
as I could judge, was from two and a half to three miles, 
and lay amidst the shipping of the port, the majority of 
which were men-of-war of the first class. We passed some 
of the largest forts of the harbour, as well as within full 
view of Plymouth and its environs. We ran close by the 
side of the late American frigate Essex, which was laid up 
aud dismantled, and saw distinctive marks of the unequal 
contest, in which she was captured. We, likewise, passed 
close under the stern of Lord Nelson's one hundred and 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 247 

ten gun ship, Victory, on the deck of which he received 
his mortal wound, during the battle of Trafalgar. Many 
others were pointed out, whose names have become re- 
nowned in the history of naval warfare. The row was the 
most interesting imaginable, and went far towards making 
me forget that I was going to a dismal prison for an un- 
limited period. I was still buoyed up with the hope of 
being shortly on a return to that home, from which, it 
appeared I had been absent years, by the circumstances 
that had transpired since I had left it, only eight weeks 
past. 

The ratification of the treaty of Ghent, which was there 
signed the twenty-fourth of the month previous, (Decem- 
ber, 1814,) not yet being consummated, was the cause of 
our detention, the board of admiralty not having altered 
the order previously adopted, of sending 'all prisoners of 
war to the Depot at Dartmoor, as soon as arriving from sea, 
at a contiguous port.' So now I had a prospect of indulg- 
ing my curiosity of going ashore, but with a different pros- 
pect from what I expected, when asking the lieutenant's 
advice, how permission could be obtained. 

When landing, at Plymouth Dock, we found a company 
of soldiers drawn up to receive us, and under whose escort 
we were to march to prison. During the short delay, after 
getting upon the wharf, I was highly amused at the by- 
standers, who were numerous, wondering that we were 
Americans; many of them, no doubt, expecting to see 
savages in their wildest nature, with tomahawks yet reek- 
ing with the blood of the many victims we had murdered, 
scalped, and eaten ; at least, their strange wonderment 
could not otherwise be interpreted by me. 

I observed a pair of worthies at the upper end of a 
steep street, of a boorish make and appearance, whose 
full flushed cheeks were made more red, by the rapid 
pace they were running towards us ; said cheeks brought 
into bolder relief by the sparse and scattering apologetic 



248 ARRrVAL IN ENGLAND. 

sun-bleached whiskers with which they were surrounded, 
with dilated eyes, encircled by lashes of kin and texture 
to their own porkers, with which they were more con- 
versant, than with mankind. The dress of these fel- 
lows was in perfect keeping with their persons — their 
large fustian coats having in the skirts alone, material 
enough for the entire garment, garnished with metal but- 
tons of dimensions commensurate with the breadth of said 
skirts ; corduroy breeches, made full above, and tapered 
to the knees, which they closely bound, showing to ad- 
vantage the coarse blue woollen stocking, covering their 
paunched-shaped calves; these again were hid in the 
hob-nailed laced boots of the wearers. Both were capped 
with pumpkin-crowned brimless hats, of light drab colour, 
to match the hair they covered, which was sticking out 
with sturdy stiffness, the moment it found vent from un- 
derneath the lower edge of the hat, forming a good sub- 
stitute for the brim, by the regularity of its diverging pro- 
pensity. Their well-fed rotund bellies were covered with 
long waistcoats, (fashionable, no doubt, at the close of the 
seventeenth century,) vieing in scarlet with the circular 
faces before noticed. 

As they came down the hill at a full gallop, each oc- 
cupying his full share of the paved portion of the street, 
with his wide-spread legs and outstretched arms, I was 
not at first sure they were not approaching in a hostile 
manner, supposing they might be the van of a detachment 
vet to follow, to complete the charge these forerunners 
bade fair to begin, with a rush and devotion that would 
insure them promotion did they belong to the French 
cuirassiers; and, together with my fellow prisoners, we 
gathered within a closer compass, to receive with a firmer 
front this menaced onset. However, we were happily 
relieved from the deadly fear which began to pervade our 
column, by their halting on its outer edge; and, after 
Btaring with open mouths and goggle protruding eyes, for 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 249 

a moment, one said to the other, 'theys bees no more 
sawages nor we bees, and can talk hinglish has wol has 
wees, dusn't ye mind so, Jock ?' 

Jock's response was lost upon the squad, of which I 
formed a member, by the too early burst of laughter that 
followed, much to my present disappointment ; for, from 
so merry a set, who were ever ready for a reply or a 
joke on all subjects and occasions, something good might 
be expected. But should I put in an answer, and palm it 
upon any one of the crowd of jokers, it might mar the 
rest of the article, by making it appear as fictitious, a 
circumstance I should exceedingly regret in having any 
agency in bringing about. 

The morning was cold, thick, and lowering, with indi- 
cations of rain. I had determined in my own mind, when 
landing, to walk, and if possible, to keep at the head of 
the column ; although I was offered, on account of my 
debilitated state, a ride upon the top of the baggage, with 
three others, who had taken their places in the wagon, 
being alike unwell with myself. But, no; I felt a re- 
newed vigour, when again standing on terra firma, and 
was resolved to tough it out, if for no other reason than 
to let my shipmates see that I flagged not nor gave up at 
any thing, enough of them always standing ready with 
their ridicule to launch their cutting jeers at the first poor 
wight who gave up, however great the difficulties he 
might be labouring under at the time. For this purpose 
I had divested myself of a part of my tri-suits of cloth- 
ing, previously to my leaving the ship. 

As soon as the commander of the detachment received 
his final orders, we started off, without music, passing 
through various streets, which were lined with spectators, 
sazins: in silence at our tatterdemalion column. We 
were not spoken to by any, nor jeered at by the crowd ; 
but, on the contrary, much commiseration was manifested 
by those looking on, for the wo- worn and unhappy spec- 



250 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

tacle we must have exhibited to their sight, with our 
filthy garments and wan faces, covered with beards of 
seven weeks' growth. The windows of the buildings 
lining the streets, were likewise filled with the inmates, 
whose curiosity had brought them to view the line of 
prisoners wearily wending their way to that strong-hold, 
the Depot at Dartmoor, therein to be confined for an 
indefinite period. 

We early found our walk was like to be an arduous 
one, even should it not rain before reaching our journey's 
end ; for the mud was more than shoe deep, as soon as 
we were beyond the paved streets of the city, except 
occasionally as we could pick our way by the road-side. 
The guard did not hinder us from strolling along as we 
pleased, so we kept the right course, and did not w r ander 
without the road's enclosure. Little attention was paid to 
us in any wise, only as individuals could be selected of a 
social turn ; when such freely entered into conversation, 
lightening the tediousness of the march, and lessening the 
anxiety of one's mind, which otherwise would have been 
brooding over the gloomy future. 

The first run of clear water we came to, all, to a man, 
pitched towards it, with the eagerness of overheated 
cattle ; many imitating the four-footed beasts of creation, 
by getting down and thrusting their faces deep into the 
crystal fluid, drinking with a relish and appetite propor- 
tionate to the length of time they had been debarred from 
its use. I thought it the sweetest cordial I had ever 
taken, and could scarcely be satisfied with leaving any 
for my shipmates; for, when passing any of the small 
streams, which were numerous in the first five miles of 
our march, 1 never omitted dipping in my tin cup, and 
taking a hearty quaff of this, to me, nectar of life, till 
ultimately feeling the bad effects of thus too often grati- 
fying my appetite, I was reluctantly forced to refrain 
from any farther indulgence. 



AND MARCHING To PRISON. 251 

We had not been on our journey more than an hour, 
before it commenced raining, which ceased not for a mo- 
ment throughout the day, and was the more disagreeable, 
by the high wind that was blowing at the time, driving it 
directly in our faces. This, together with the before 
muddy roads, now much worse by the rain, made our 
march a weary one indeed. 

I had now an opportunity of looking about, for the pur- 
pose of seeing how our detachment was guarded ; when, 
upon counting, I found we had for our escort, sixty-three 
officers and privates, with bayonets and loaded muskets, 
whilst we numbered but forty-six ; yet these forty-six con- 
tained more fun, frolic, mischief, or devilment (as it suits 
one's fancy to name the ever overflowing spirits and jollity 
of actions of the American seamen,) in their systems, 
than all the regiments in the British service combined, if 
the few I met with were a fair sample of the whole. It 
was not intended, at starting, to march us in line, in sec- 
tions, or in any other manner, than such as the fancy of 
each chose to take ; and the probability is, if the officers 
had attempted to put us in marching shape, they would 
have found out that they had undertaken a job beyond 
their abilities to perform, or would have seen material 
enough to introduce an appendix to their present military 
code of tactics, and of a character that would have made 
the officers of the old school stand more aghast than did 
the often routed, phlegmatic generals, who scornfully 
averred that Bonaparte was entitled to no credit for gain- 
ing his battles, differently than by studied rules, but 
rather deserved to be court-martialed for departing from 
established plans of long standing. We had not been an 
hour on the road, before the straggling line occupied a full 
half mile of the highway, and still manifested signs of 
further lengthening, as much by design and contrariness 
as necessity, or inability to keep up. 

I entered into conversation with a corporal of the de- 



252 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

tachment, and was much amused with the account of his 
campaignings in the Peninsula, where his regiment, the 
•twelfth, royal Irish,' had been nearly cut up and de- 
stroyed, having lost their standard, and most of their offi* 
cers. The remnant was now at home, recruiting their 
numbers. His stories served much to beguile the te- 
diousness of the march, and but for which I should, early 
in the day, have been among the laggers at the tail end 
of the detachment, that was still stretching out, notwith- 
standing the exertions the soldiers were making to keep 
up the rear, as near to the front as possible. I will not 
attempt to detail the corporal's or his comrades' wonder- 
ful exploits, lest my readers shall think I took all he said 
as fact, and laugh at my gullibility : besides, they 
smacked much of the romantic, a feature entirely foreign 
to my province, or the work before the reader. 

After I had marched about six miles, I found it almost 
impossible to keep with the foremost ranks, from my ex- 
treme weakness. As my thick great-coat became soaked 
with rain, it was too burdensome to wear, and I pulled it 
off, for the purpose of lightening myself, intending to 
throw it away ; but was persuaded to keep it, as I should 
feel its loss when too late to remedy my error. This I 
attempted three several times, and was as often prevailed 
upon to resume it. I afterwards had reason to be thank- 
ful I had not parted with it, as, of my entire wardrobe, 
this I found the most comfortable, when thrown over all, 
during the continuance of those heavy fogs which pre- 
vailed most of the time while I was in prison. As we 
ascended a hill, I could see the line of our detachment 
stretching far behind, with its rear a mile or more from 
the front, the red coats of the soldiers mixed in with the 
dark and motley dresses of the prisoners, making the 
whole a sight, from our elevated prospect, worthy to be 
6een, for its oddity alone. 

The prisoners displayed a mischievous daring, or reck- 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 253 

less sang-froid, during the march, that none others but 
American seamen could have indulged in with impunity. 
Many a one might be seen, when he could not prove to 
the satisfaction of the guard his right to tarry, whilst the 
detachment was proceeding on, and the soldier becoming 
a little crusty with the other's contrariness, throwing back 
his jacket, as a preparatory measure for stripping, to make 
plain his right to do as he pleased, by the good old pugi- 
listic argument of right and left boxing ; and if he had 
not been humoured by the guard, he would have made 
the first onset. This would not have been tolerated a 
moment, by the rigidity of a South Boston discipline ; 
and I greatly wondered to see such concessions, coming 
from these red-coated veteran warriors. It seemed im- 
possible for these seamen' to be placed in any situation, 
that would cool their mischievous natures ; but, on the 
contrary, their frolicksome spirits appeared to gain strength 
by the difficulties with which they were surrounded, and 
under which, if possessing temperaments at all analogous 
with those of the human family at large, it might be 
supposed they would quail at the beginning. 

The falling behind by many of the prisoners, was in 
mere wantonness of mischief — as much to teaze the guard 
as from an inability to keep up, or any other purpose ; and 
to a looker-on, no little amusing, whilst often it was truly 
laughable. One in conversation with a soldier at his side, 
as the debate grows warm, all at once declares he can do 
but one thing at a time — carrying on an argument and 
walking was too much for him, and down he sits. 

'Come, come, man — this won't do; you see others are 
passing by, while you are loitering,' says the guard. 

'Well, my skylark,' returns tne loiterer, 'you're dodging 
the subject — is this proof that a stab with a bayonet is 
equal to a push with a boarding-pike, especially when 
you happen to tip a fellow in the groin a couple or 
three inches?' 

22 v.l 



254 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

'We have no time here to argue ; so you must up and 
join the rest.' 

'Must ! you baboon in regimentals ; d'ye know my dad 
tore the leaf from the dictionary, before he'd learn me to 
read the word? — must, indeed!' 

'Well, well, have it your own way, so you don't stop 
here, for the detachment has gone ahead already, and it 
will take a brisk trot to come up with it.' 

'Soldier, hearken to me a minute ; now for your impu- 
dent must — for letting out a word you don't mean to put 
in force, work me into a ring-bolt, for every one in the 
dark to stub his toe against, if I budge an inch till you say 
please.' 

'Please — tramp ahead, and that with double quick time, 
or I'll pink you for your daring sauciness.' All but the first 
word of the soldier's sentence is lost upon the sailor, who is 
on the road towards the detachment, kicking up his heels, 
and throwing his arms about in such a manner, to make 
manifest his joy at having gained his end, that it is diffi- 
cult for an observer accurately to say, whether his legs are 
not situated where the arms should be, or vice versa; or 
whether his locomotive powers lies in his legs, his arms, 
or equally distributed between the two pair. 

Again, one stops by the road-side to take a drink from 
the running stream ; and so very nice he has become all 
at once, that he finds great difficulty in selecting a place 
to kneel, without soiling his 'go-ashore clothes.' All the 
while the detachment is leaving him and his guard far 
behind (none was allowed to tarry a moment in the rear, 
without a soldier by his side ;) and now that he has se- 
lected a place to his liking, one would suppose he is desi- 
rous of laying in a stock of water against his next capture, 
or that it is his intention to leave none for the next comers, 
by the length of time it takes to satisfy his thirst. If the 
guard was any wise impatient, showed anger, tried to 
quicken his movements, or shorten the drinker's allowance 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 255 

by persuasions or threats, he was met with a ready answer 
either in earnestness or banter. 

'Hav'nt you water enough here in England, that you 
begrudge a poor fellow a sip, for the want of something 
more christian-like to keep up his spirits ? or do you keep 
it all aloft, to serve out, as the purser serves out his 
slops — when he can't help it — throwing them, upon the 
good and the worthless, upon red-coats and blue-jackets, 
alike, as though they belonged to one family.' 

'You'd come in for a poor share, for you belong to no 
family but the devil's own.' 

'Why if you throw off such home-thrusts, your company 
is worth having — so take a seat by my side, and we'll 
have a drink to our better acquaintance.' 

'You'll excuse me, I find it wet enough standing. 
Come, come, bear-a-hand.' 

'Y r es, it is wet enough. I wish whoever has the serving 
out of this rain, he would make it banyan day till we can 
find shelter; for I will say as did our gunner when half- 
corned, to his wife (who, by-the-by, was a little more how- 
come-you-so, than her husband) when she filled his nog- 
gin with soap-suds, instead of the stiffner he had been 
taking, 'too much of a good thing is nauseous;' thinking 
'twas his overloaded stomach, and not the change of the 
drink, that had made him sick.' 

Such jibes he would use, till the soldier was out of all 
patience, when the prisoner would start ahead to bring up 
with the detachment, which by this time was far onward — 
running with all the speed he possessed, the guard follow- 
ing after as rapidly as his arms and accoutrements per- 
mitted him to do. 

A third suddenly is seized with a violent cramp in his 
leg, which barely enables him to hobble to the first stone 
by the road-side, whereon he seats himself, writhing and 
twisting with the acute pain, which the spasm always 
brings— frequently distorting his limbs to the pity of the 



256 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

beholder; who, by the others having passed on, is none 
but the guard. He, kind soul, is always willing to admi- 
nister to the relief of the afflicted, by chafing the now 
crooked limb, and using such other remedies, as the one 
in pain suggests, to ease his intolerable agony. When the 
guard is at his busiest, striving to pull the cramped limb 
straight, with an altered voice the sick man sings out, 

' Avast heaving, soldier ! do you know whose leg you 
are tugging at, as though you were at the weather main- 
sheet with a squall coming on ?' 

' Why, yours, to be sure, not mine.' 

'By Beelzebub's high-heel monkey-jacket! one would 
suppose such a pull was intended for your own benefit, 
and not lost upon a stranger as it is upon me.' 

'Why, ain't your leg crooked by the cramp?' 

' As much as is the barrel of your gun, by pointing it 
the wrong way to harm an enemy. My leg? it's as 
supple as the cook's elbow, when piped to scour knives, 
as you shall see, provided you keep near enough in my 
wake to see me at all ; so, bear-a-hand, here goes, my 
hearty,' and off he starts, after turning a couple of flip- 
flaps, by the way of getting his propelling force under 
way, displaying as much gladness that he has fooled the 
red-coat, as though he has been piped to splice the main- 
brace. 

Again is another taken with a serious cholic, quite 
doubling him up with the violence of the attack, com- 
pelling the poor fellow to halt, for another step he cannot 
go, were they to run him through with their bayonets. 
The seriousness of the attack makes it extremely doubtful 
whether he can stand it Ions; ; and as he has a few last 
words to convey to his relatives, his request is granted, 
that his particular friend may tarry a few moments, to 
receive his last dying request, and convey it to his absent 
relatives, with the addition of another soldier to the guard. 
The sick man and his friend sit apart some ten or fifteen 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 257 

minutes, in a close and confidential conversation, unin- 
terrupted by their attendants, till the former suddenly 
stretches back, appearing to be in his last death throes, in 
which he exhibits a greater strength than his companion 
can master, when the guard steps forward to assist in 
holding the dying one from the mud, till he seems to re- 
vive from the fit he is in, and shortly is enabled to say, 
' all that is wanting to complete the cure, is a sharp 
exercise,' and leads off briskly, leaving the guard behind 
to free themselves from a lashing of cord, that has been 
attached to each, by the companion of the sick man, 
whilst they were assisting to keep him from the mud. 
The two roasters arrive early enough to acquaint their 
companions of the hoax put upon the red-coats, and by 
the time they come up, jokes enough are concocted, and 
dealt out to the guard's annoyance, to last till something 
new offers, which was seldom long. Were I to record 
the half of what was said and done on the march, I 
should swell this work to a third volume, which I intend 
shall not be the case ; for who has ever read, since the 
time of the Great Unknown, a work of three volumes? 
Throughout, we had a change of dishes in this way, and 
as often as the most particular could desire, this mischief- 
loving, roguish spirit never flagging for a moment, the 
soldiers enjoying the raillery heaped upon their comrades, 
as much as did the party with whom it originated. 

The head of the column encountered a country gawky, 
with his donkey and cart, in a narrow passage between 
two abrupt banks, whose steepness was such as to prevent 
his turning out. Those at the head of the detachment saw 
this, and they were determined to turn it to mischief. 
Had there been sufficient space for the cart and the head 
of the column to pass each other, in the track of the road, 
probably the fellow would have gone on his journey un- 
molested. 

Those who first met the man, donkey, and cart, said 
22* v.] 



258 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

they would pay all due respect to his majesty's two-legged 
subjects, provided always they behaved themselves ; but 
these four-legged craft they could not abide, and forthwith 
formed a close band across the road, and came to a stand- 
still. The officer commanding the detachment, knowing 
the peculiarities of the prisoners, having seen enough of 
their doings to learn there was no evil in their intentions, 
and understanding the true nature of the case to be 
Frolick vs. Jackass, did not attempt to force on the 
march, but fully enjoyed the scene that followed. 

The prisoners declared the team should turn out. This 
the owner was more than willing to do, if it were at all 
practicable, and said as much, in as plain English as his 
fear and thick tongue allowed him. To turn about and 
retrace the road he had so lately come, he was also will- 
ing to try ; but this was putting a stranger to too much 
trouble. The offer was made to assist the donkey to back 
his cart up the bank ; and without waiting for the owner's 
acquiescence, presuming upon his former readiness of fall- 
ing in with their every proposition, half a dozen laid hold 
of the donkey and cart, and pushed them up the bank 
some twenty feet, the cart uppermost, with the donkey's 
head towards the line of prisoners, knowing it unmilitary 
for him to stand 'tail end on,' while this respectable 
body of warriors were passing in salute. The owner of 
the donkey, or senior partner of the concern, stuck close 
to his property ; and as the prisoners had no better prop to 
secure the donkey and cart, or junior partner, from coming 
headlong down the steep declivity, the moment they were 
left to themselves, he was jammed in front of all, as a 
chock to secure this dangerous slide from overwhelming 
the line of our march. 

Matters were in this state when I came up, for in spite 
of my determination at starting, I had fallen considerably 
behind from the foremost ranks, and a more laughable 
sight I never beheld. The donkey was of the smallest 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 259 

breed, being not much taller than the largest kind of 
Newfoundland dogs, with rough, shaggy hair, but with the 
most placid countenance imaginable. The cart to which 
he was harnessed, was of size, fashion, and in perfect 
keeping with the moving power attached thereto. The 
senior partner was a fresh, rosy-coloured bumpkin, dis- 
playing much of the John Bull rusticity, both in his robust 
person and singularity of dress ; — he was about fourteen 
years of age, judging from the countenance, but by bulk 
and proportions at least forty, his waistcoat alone contain- 
ing the contents of two well-fed aldermen in the rotund 
protuberance which it covered — and with a countenance 
of as much stupidity as his junior's boasted of placidness. 

This bulk of stupidity, in leathern breeches and red 
hose, was supporting the firm under his charge by having 
dug his heels deep into the dirt, and was bracing back 
might and main — resting on the miry ground with his 
broad seat, his back firmly fixed against the donkey's 
breast and forelegs, who in like turn was bracing his por- 
tion against the goods and chattels of the firm ; but the 
duty of the latter was a sinecure compared to that of the 
senior in his front, always supposing judgment be based 
upon the expression of countenance, or anxiety exhibited 
in each of their looks, at the imaginary danger of a slide, 
or of coming down with a rolling tumble to the road be- 
low. In plainer language, it was easily seen by the most 
careless observer in such matters, that the junior relied 
mostly, if not altogether upon his senior in trade for the 
support of the house, by the careless indifference he dis- 
played with his half-shut eyes, as he rested his chin upon 
the head of the prop beneath his front, lazily fanning the 
rain drops from his large paddling ears, upon the hall- 
up-turned face of his owner, thinking, no doubt, he was 
doing an act of mercy, by cooling his blood-red heated 
countenance, in the hard task he had to perform. 

Not so did the senior take the probable downfall of his 



260 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

house ; for his rolling eyes, wide-stretched mouth, and 
rigidly-strained nerves, explained to the lookers on the 
anxiety he felt for the concern, to which he stood the 
sole prop. 

There was much consolation in store for this man in 
trouble, each proffering it as he came up in a way he 
supposed most acceptable to the partnership concern, to 
himself, or to his comrades of the march. Many of the 
prisoners manifested their philanthropy, by clambering up 
the bank, and pushing the donkey and cart still higher 
up, the owner willingly following inch by inch his re- 
treating phalanx, not allowing the donkey to be a step 
behind in this unnatural, up-hill backing out; but still he 
showed a full, bold, and unyielding front to the line of his 
adversaries. To comfort him in his high station, he was 
hailed by those that came up, in the usual coarse joking 
in which seamen so freely indulge, whenever a subject 
offers for their merriment ; and verily, the ludicrous situa- 
tion of this twain was enough to create laughter among a 
crowd of anchorites, who were under a penance of seven 
days fasting. 

'At anchor there, aho-y ! throw out another grapnel — 
you're on a soft bottom — look sharp or else you'll drag.' 

'Wat Greely, which did you hail — there's two:' 

'Why the one with the long ears, to be sure ; the other, 
jammed in to the bows, is only a spiked-on figure-head, 
you gummy, can't ye see ?' 

'She's not at anchor, but upon her stocks, W T at — you'd 
better scale your own eyes before overhauling your neigh- 
bours.' 

'You're right, Jerry — I must countermand orders. 
Above, there ! hold on with the grapnel — knock away 
your chock-block, and ye'll have a clean run — your ways 
are well slushed, with no danger of striking hard bottom.' 

'It's not a craft,' said a third — 'it's a mushroom, the rain 
has just sprouted up; by the time we return it will be in 
blossom.' 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 261 

'As much of a mushroom, as you are a christian ; it's 
one of the images they worship in these parts.' 

'If bowing before unclean things be sinful, we are in 
the land of heathens, for the idol is sunk to his bends 
in yellow mud.' 

'No, no, it's a time-piece setting in a bow-window — see 
the face above, garnished with strange devices ?' 

'Old Time, ahoy ! can you tell when it will clear up, if 
it thus keeps on raining ?' 

'Or can you say when you're like to make a slide, for 
I'll give you a wide berth ?' 

'Yes, a jack's hide and bull's tripe, dished up in mud, 
is a hash beyond my huckleberry.' » 

'You don't call that a hash, Joe — why, it's as clear as 
grit, the fellow is in a tremendous stew.' 

'Hash or stew, he's full of grit, as far as mud and 
gravel go.' 

'You're all wrong,' rejoined another, 'it's a concert, as I 
hope to be pretty by the time I'm ninety ; — don't you see 
the big drum in front, and the trombone player astern?' 

'That's a fact — give us a tune, old Tody, (hailing him 
with a loud voice,) and I'll carry round the hat.' 

'And keep what you collect — water drops.' 

'Your drop will give the surgeon a job of cutting up.' 

'Come, come, Gust, drop that subject, it's far-fetched.' 

'It will be too near home when it is drop'd — within a 
fathom of the landing.' 

'These cutting jokes of yours are not more personal 
than feeling.' 

'I see they prove a home-thrust more probing than the 
ticklish sensation they create, by your squirming.' 

T would retort to your air-dangling jibes, only they 
have less understanding than keenness.' 

'Give him another shot,' said a friend to the last speaker, 
'slip into him, for it's a neck-and-nothing game, as he very 
well knows.' 



262 ARRIVAL IK ENGLAND 

• 

'It's a noose of his own toggling, easier slipped into 
than out of, else he'd let it slip before this.' 

Darken my blinkers, Gust, but your jaw-tackle is too 
kinkified for me to overhaul with my shot wad of a 
noddle, that has less metal than oakum in it.' 

'Why, Dick, that fellow above there is a banker.' 

'Yes, Harry ; but if he don't find it a slippery concern, 
I'll accept of the first invitation to dinner that offers, if 
it's only upon roast pig, puddings, pies, and other fixens 
in such cases made and provided, eased off with a Ja- 
maica stiffener.' 

'Slippery or not, he's well backed." 

'Back me into a mop-handle when the old woman is 
belabouring her husband, before I'd be in his berth, for 
all hands to jeer at.' 

'Jeering Jack! why d'ye stand there gaping; are ye 
dumb at seeing y're uncle in so elevated a station ?' 

This last question was put to one of the prisoners, who 
had gained the above soubriquet by his propensity for 
rigging; but upon the present occasion he had not opened 
his mouth since the scene began, although he looked on, 
and evidently enjoyed the whole with much satisfaction. 
He seemed to be roused by his comrade's inquiry, sud- 
denly leaped up the bank, seized the countryman's large 
brimmed hat, placed it on the head of the donkey, made 
it fast with a piece of spunyarn from his pocket, saying 
in the attitude of a benediction, with his hands raised 
above the head of the donkey, 'to thee be the crown, 
'stead of this bloated clown, who here sits him down, 
(and wonders if ever there's end to these tricks,) to rumi- 
nate well, in this rainy spell, how the devil to tell, he's 
going to get out of this bloody bad fix.' 

When they were worked as near the brow of the hill 
as was practicable, lest nearer would enable the owner 
to extricate himself and property from danger, and thus 
spoil the intention of these worthy helpers of the needy 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 263 

and distressed, the man with his charge, was left to him- 
self, to muse upon the fickleness of human nature. The 
last I saw of him was as above described ; he was still 
braced back as a prop before his ass, waiting for some 
wayfarer, who might be passing the road, to extricate him 
from his predicament, of a more friendly nature, or of 
less hoaxing propensity, than were those who first placed 
him in jeopardy. 

This one act of folly gained the prisoners a reputation, 
with our escort and their officers, that weeks of good con- 
duct could not have established ; and from this time we 
had pretty much our own w r ay of getting along, provided 
it was not attended with contrariness. 

When about nine miles from Plymouth, we came upon 
a company of Derbyshire militia, who were ensconced 
under the lee of a large rock, by the road-side, to screen 
themselves from the pitiless storm of wind and rain, 
which was driving fiercely across the extensive and bleak 
plains we had gained. This company were awaiting our 
arrival, to relieve the one that had been our escort from 
Plymouth ; and unlike our first, each was well and com- 
fortably wrapped in a dark mixed great-coat, with cape 
or hood to turn the rain from his neck and shoulders. 
The short delay, for the necessary manoeuvres, of the one 
guard relieving the other, enabled me again to reach the 
front ; only in time, however, to again march on, without 
being allowed a moment to rest my lagging limbs, which 
now, I was sensible, could not possibly hold out much 
longer ; for those at my side quickly left me, as likewise 
did those who had been farther behind in the detachment, 
pass by with ease, compared to my feeble and laboured 
gait, although I exerted myself to the uttermost to 
keep up. 

I had fallen rearwards about a fourth of a mile, when 
the head of the column reached the summit of a gra- 
dually rising hill, the base of which was far below where 



264 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

I was trudging. 'The ascent of the hill was so regular, 
and the road so straight, that I could plainly see both 
the front and rear of the column of our motley detach- 
ment, as it was laggishly toiling up this long and weari- 
some rise; and as near as I could judge, I was about in 
the centre from the extreme ends. 

As the head came to the brow of the hill, it met two 
equestrians, one an old man, the other a sprightly female 
of not more than eighteen or twenty years of age ; both 
well mounted on young and spirited horses. The riders 
had no little difficulty at first, getting by the headmost 
section of the escort, which had respectfully opened from 
its centre, leaving an alley for them to pursue their jour- 
ney unmolested. Whilst the horses were prancing about 
under the spur and lash, which were freely applied to 
them, some one of the seamen more conversant with the 
management of unruly steeds, than are the generality of 
the profession, caught the old gentleman's nag by the tail, 
gave him a jerk, with a slap and a kick, rounding off 
with a regular 'heave-yo ! go ahead, my hearty,' loud 
enough to be heard by those at a greater distance than 
myself, accompanied with yells and shouts from such 
others as wished to show off, or who were desirous of 
graining favour with the fair one on horseback. The 
whole combined had the desired effect of starting the 
steeds ahead with their riders, the column opening as 
they came on, and the mischief-loving spirit flying from 
end to end of the detachment, infusing itself into many 
who at first deprecated all such nonsense, till few were 
clear of the contagion. Each of the prisoners, as did 
many of the guard who could not withhold their mite, 
strove to outdo his predecessors in exclamations, to facili- 
tate the old man and his charge on their journey. 

By the time they had reached that part of the column 
where I was standing, (a halt had taken place throughout 
the line by tacit consent,) the horses had gained their 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 265 

greatest speed ; the young lady was a rod or two ahead 
of her companion, sitting upon her horse with the ease and 
grace of a trained trooper, seeming to care but little, ex- 
cept to keep her steed in the centre of the road. The old 
man had dropped his reins, and in their stead, had formed 
a coalition with his saddle pummel, clinching it with the 
grasp of eternal friendship, as though through his long life 
he had found all else worthless, and for the remaining few 
days he could expect to spend here, he had determined 
with religious tenacity, to rely on that alone for security, 
and with zealous phrenzy to stick to it to the end of his 
involuntary and hasty ride. His cloak had disengaged 
itself from his person, except that the clasp at the throat 
still held on, allowing the skirts to flow far in the rear, 
like a top-gallantsail in the sudden blast of the hurricane, 
with the loss of all fastenings below. His hat had early 
found it difficult to keep up with the race, abandoned all 
claim to the prize, and bolted the track, leaving the old 
man's long gray hairs to float w r ith the wind as they might. 
As they were passing in their rapid flight, one near me 
sang out — 

'Holloa, old man ! if you don't keep your mouth shut, 
you will take in more wind, than will serve for a West 
India hurricane — throw out a kedge to drag, till you can 
stow away what you have already taken in, else you'll be 
top-heavy, and capsize at the next coming about.' 

'He ain't agoing to unship his figure-head before com- 
pany, is he ?' 

'Well,' said another, T have heard of one's being blown 
with a race, without knowing its meaning till now; and if 
that old fellow is'nt puffed up like a bladder, when he gets 
at his journey's end, it won't be because he don't open his 
fore-hatches wide enough to take all in that comes.' 

Yet, with all your friendly caution, he is gasping for 
more.' 

'If the old fellow's top block keeps opening in this way, 
Si v.l 



266 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

by-and-bye the wind will take it aback, and he will have 
to speed on his journey without top-gearing enough to 
keep him steady.' 

'He may then make but one job of looking for his 
figure-head and the hat.' 

'Set the one to search for the other, as they will be on 
the same road, and all the better fitted to keep each others 
company by long companionship.' 

On they went, and were out of hearing of. the wag's 
caution, before half uttered. Each one composing the 
two lines at either side of the road, strove to do more than 
his comrade, in shouting, yelling, swinging or throwing 
high his hat, turning summersets, jumping on his fellow- 
traveller's back, or to display any other mischievous devil- 
ment his brain could devise upon the emergency, to faci- 
litate the riders' progress towards the completion of their 
journey, or to make himself conspicuous in the eyes of his 
companions. The speed of their horses did not slacken 
while in sight, but was kept up with spirit, the lady still 
having the lead, as they turned with the road, which hid 
them from our sisrht. 

O 

This afforded subject for jest and merriment throughout 
the line, no little enlivening the spirits of those who were 
drooping with the tediousness of the march and the bur- 
then of their difficulties. Conversation continued till we 
arrived at our halting place, twelve miles from Plymouth. 
I fell within the hearing of a worthy trio, who were dis- 
cussing the merits and demerits of the two riders, which 
diverted me for the time, and will here record the dia- 
logue, as it may likewise be diverting to the reader, if he 
should happen to be in the like trouble under which I 
was labouring — trudging a muddy road, soaked to the skin 
with the driving rain — spiritless, wearied, debilitated with 
sickness — and what relief can be expected at the journey's 
end ? — a loathsome prison. 

'I say, Billy, my boy, did you see the flash of her bright 
eye as she passed us?' alluding to the old man's companion. 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 267 

'Did I see it? why it was intended for me and none 
else ; and had'nt I dodg'd, (I thought she was coming it a 
little too strong for a beginning,) you never would have 
seen it, for it would have lodged in my heart, where nes- 
tle many such, since this old hulk of mine was in a trim 
to enjoy them.' 

'Why, Billy, you must be smitten with either the girl's 
looks or her riding, by the glowing feelings you display.' 

'I'm charmed with both — flumbergasted for life ; for by 
the hoky, she is a trimmer of a craft, worth looking at, and 
none the worse for her ride or the company she last passed 
through.' 

'That is, if she is not capsized in broaching to.' 

'Never fear that; for so trim built a cutter, must be a 
daughter of a sailor, by the way she manages her tiller 
ropes, always supposing she is a daughter of any body; 
but my plain opinion is, she is an angel, and fit company 
for sailors only.' 

'She must be a daughter of Old Grey-beard,' joined in 
our third speaker, 'who was trying to keep in her wake. 
Do you think, shipmate, he made any the faster headway, 
by the manner he was jerking at the saddle ?' 

'It's hard to tell whether he was using it as a tiller or a 
scull ; but it's the way these soldier chaps ride, I suppose, 
that hav'nt got the roll of the bark they are on ; — at the 
awkward way he was working, I'd advise him to ship into 
some other service, if he ever expects promotion.' 

'He found it as hard work to cling to his horse, as the 
horse found it difficult to keep up with the beauty. Did'nt 
you see how steady her eye was kept on the head of the 
clipper under her command, ready at a moment to tack or 
ware, as the squall might strike her larboard or starboard ?' 

'Do you think my eyes were playing bo-peep wHh the 
gravel stones at my feet, or were on an exploration of 
the man's gentility in the moon, by seeing whether he 



268 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

chews pigtail or niggerhead ?' quickly interposed Bill, who 
suffered no encomium on the fair one to be answered by 
others, 'why they never winked, nor never will again as 
before ; for I'm blessed if her brightness has'nt cast a 
glommary over 'em, that's not easy to get rid of. I did not 
take my blinkers off her face, from the time she hove in 
sight, till she up helm and crossed the old fellow's bows, 
at the bend of the road, which was done as prettily as any 
fancy skipper can do it in the States. As she eased oft" 
her sheets, showed her broadside to the old fellow, w : hile 
crossing his fore-foot, I thought I was floating in the air, so 
light was my heart ; for she done it handsomely, and in a 
way that would have won a pair of epaulets to one in tight 
pants, and eagle buttons; while the old chap went yawing 
round, as though he was on an exploring expedition and 
had lost his reckoning.' 

'You booby, what do you know of land tacks and 
human nature ? Had the old man brought up of a sud- 
den, it would have broken his horse's tail short off in the 
shank ; but by taking a sweep round, he had time to clue 
in and gather it up, which he could not have done whilst 
under full sail.' 

'That's a fact; for as he passed us, it stuck out as 
straight from his taffrail as the boom of a North River 
sloop ; and I could not make out its use at the time, but 
supposed it were some private signal.' 

'It was a signal of going ahead at a rate I should not 
like to travel, even with the company he had, to enliven 
my trottings.' 

'With her, a boat-hook, and a good pair of spurs,' re- 
joined Bill, with much fervour in his upturned devotional 
look, 'I would mount the first shark we met, cruise 
among strangers in the world to come, and let them see 
what kind of craft we have to enliven us here upon 
earth.' 

When you start on your jaunt, try to get where there 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 269 

is less mud ; for the old cock and his beauty has set this 
flying about, till it don't know when to leave off, or how 
to lie still.' 

'They took no small portion with themselves, which 
improved their outer works as little as it induced them to 
notice us in the passing salute.' 

'This bespattering is an earnest of their acknowledg- 
ment for the kindness shown them, in lieu of ducking 
bows and paddling hands.' 

'A6 much mud as they took, they have left enough 
behind to serve for a six months' cruise, with double 
allowance on holidays.' 

'This mud is like a true friend, for it sticks to one in 
distress. May I be turned into a poker with two fires to 
stir, if I ain't paid over three inches deep, with a chance 
of another layer being added every half hour.' 

'Why, at this rate, Frank, you'll soon be a landholder/ 

'With a title indisputable ; for whoever attempts to 
dispossess him of his rights, will surely get the worst 
of it.' 

'Earth to earth is a law of nature, and Frank is only 
working it out in his own humble way.' 

'But filth to rottenness is a compound defilement, as 
uncomely as it is unscriptural.' 

'I don't believe scriptural doctrines,' said Frank, as he 
slipped flat to the road, 'when they say 'dust thou art, 
and unto dust thou shalt return;' for here is proof posi- 
tive that it's only mud to mud, and a mucky concern 
it is.' 

'A pleasant snooze to you, Frank, but you show an 
odd fancy in the choice of your bed.' 

'Give me one of Pharoah's kneading-troughs, with no 
other material than Egyptian bull-frogs, and if 1 can't 
fashion a loaf more palatable to the taste than this proves 
a comfortable bed, I'll turn christian, and risk the con- 
sequences.' 

•23* v.1 



270 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

'It's difficult to say why legs were made ;' said ano- 
ther, 'and more difficult to know how to use them ; for 
mine have been out of sight this hour, by the way they 
settle down at each step.' 

'I have been trying to learn how deep the mud is, 
but I am not long enough by a fathom, to reach sound- 
ings.' 

'You know nothing as to depth where you are ; but 
here, I have got down to the third tier, with a pro- 
mise of more as I descend, without a ratline I can 
cling to, should I come to the hole in a chimney-top of 
the other world.' 

' If you are on your downward slope, say we can't 
come, till we try the good qualities of yon tavern just 
hove in sight, which we have been trying to make out 
through the fog the last half hour.' This was the 'half- 
way house,' as termed, although we had travelled twelve 
miles of the seventeen, to come up with it. 

The detachment had permission to halt, till the rear 
closed up to the front, which was about thirty or forty 
minutes. Not more than two at a time were allowed to 
enter the hotel, and they could tarry but a short time, 
when they had to give place to others in waiting, which 
gave all an opportunity of buying some little refresh- 
ment, who had the means of paying for it. So weary 
and tired were most of the prisoners, that they sat imme- 
diately down as they were halted, without even seeking a 
stone or a bank, to keep themselves from the mud be- 
neath. More wet we could not be, and but little more 
mud could be added to our already well besmeared per- 
sons ; still, thus sitting upon the miry and cold ground, 
after our toilsome march, had the most serious effect upon 
our limbs, as we soon learned when again taking up the 
line of march. 

I sat upon a bank as high as I could get from the un- 
derneath rivulets, (the fountains from above could not 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 271 

be evaded,) and I had probably been sitting fifteen 
minutes, when the captain of our brig came up with the 
others, who had fallen in the rear. I never saw so de- 
jected a picture exhibited in living form, as he presented. 
In him was seen wretchedness and despair personified. 
His distress was not only bodily, but his mental woes far 
exceeded the former. As he came draggling through the 
mud, his garments dripping from every part with the 
continued rain, he stopped nearly in my front ; and while 
he was slowly turning his. eyes upon the surrounding 
group of misery and wretchedness, as I thought, to look 
for a seat on which he could rest himself, I made a slight 
move, indicating that he might share mine ; he again 
turned his gloomy gaze upon the prisoners, many of whom 
had squatted directly in the road, wherein they had 
halted, regardless of the mud and water beneath them, 
and in the agony of his soul, as being the cause of so 
much wretchedness, exclaimed, 'God of mercy, what 
have I done!' and he burst into tears. No one spoke 
a word for some minutes — each seemed to be entirely 
absorbed with his own wretched condition. 

When the rear joined the front, w r e were ordered to 
proceed. As I had had a reasonable time for rest, I was 
now determined to take the lead and keep it, in spite of 
the lagging propensities that had before so unaccountably 
crept over me. But on rising, I was astonished at the 
stiffness of my limbs ; for it was such as barely enabling 
me to put one foot before the other ; all feeling seemed 
to have left me, from my hips downwards. This was 
attended with not the slightest pain, however, which 
encouraged me to believe, that with a little walking it 
would wear off, or sensation would return with exercise, 
and so I trudged on as best I could, but was shortly the 
hindmost of the line. 

I kept along, till we came to the foot of a ' mountain,' 
as it was termed, of about one mile in ascent, and had 



272 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

proceeded about a fourth of the distance towards its 
summit, when the officer commanding the detachment 
came to me a second time, (the first was soon after start- 
ing,) saying, ' from the time we get to the top of the 
hill, till we reach the prisons, there is not a habitation of 
any kind, and the upper portion of the road is covered 
with snow more than a foot in depth, made worse to 
travel through by the rain ; and in your present state, 
you can never pass the heath at the top, and will as 
surely perish, as you persist in proceeding on foot. It is 
not yet too late for you to return to the tavern and await 
the bas:s:as:e wagons, which will take you on with com- 
fort, compared to the w T alk you are attempting.' 

This he had before told me, when the line was set in 
motion, as soon as he saw the stiffness of my joints. As 
there were four others knocked up, who had not mani- 
fested any intention of starting from our resting place, I 
had less fear of being rigged for giving out, or rather I 
supposed the rigging would be divided equally between 
the whole of us, so I turned about and was marched back 
to the tavern between a file of his majesty's 'regulars,' 
armed to the teeth, with as much wariness as though I 
had been the military chest, and in a hostile country ; 
when, at the same time, had they given me my liberty. 
I could not have clambered beyond the hedge at the 
road-side. 

I will endeavour to describe the inn to which I was 
taken, as we have heard much of the superior comforts of 
the English country taverns ; and as this is the 'half-way 
house, between Plymouth and Dartmoor,' as well as on the 
road to Tavistock, a borough town of Derbyshire, it is to 
be presumed, that it is a fair sample of others, situated no 
further in the interior. 

The house was of irregular stone masonry, nearly square, 
two stories in height. The whole of the inside first story 
was thrown into one apartment, except a partition dividing 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 273 

a small passage from the room for a stairway which led to 
the second story. This one room was 'floored' with com- 
mon flag-stones in their roughest state, not jointed or ham- 
mered, as could be seen by the irregular seams of dirt 
between them, and the numerous puddles of water which 
lay in their hollows. This apartment was occupied as the 
bar-room, kitchen, sitting-room, coal-house, shelter for the 
harness of the working cattle, farming utensils, and the 
like ; the latter thrown into a pile in as negligent a man- 
ner as carelessness could do it. The wayfarers, family, 
goods, chattels, and horse furniture, all received the light 
of heaven from a window formed by six panes of the 
smallest sized glass. 

The landlady was a blowsy, red -faced woman of forty, 
such as the English people love to boast of, when going 
principally for bulk. She had done well towards keeping 
good the number of his majesty's subjects, by raising a 
number beyond count, of her own likeness, both as to 
floridness of complexion, profusion of fat, unintelligible 
articulation, and superabundance of dirt, which had loca- 
ted with adhesive tenacity to their garments and persons. 
These were luxuriating upon the benches, chests, or what- 
ever else they could crawl upon, to be 'hout of 'arm's way 
of the poodles of 'ater in the flure,' as per the language of 
their mother. 

I was speedily seated upon a bench with my jaded and 
invalid comrades, before a coal fire, which was already 
raising a fog from their wet clothes, by its cheerful heat. 
The corporal of the squad, left to guard us, took a seat by 
my side, and soon entered into conversation — inquired 
much about the United States, saying, he intended to 
make it his home, should he effect a discharge, which 
he was then trying to obtain, and not without hopes of 
success. For this purpose, he had let no work escape 
him, by which he could obtain any information as to 
localities of states and cities, difference of climates, em- 



274 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

ployments, or whatever else might be of any service to 
him, should he be so fortunate as to reach there. 

I felt much interested with this man's views, and soon 
found his knowledge of the United States, was far more ex- 
tensive than my own ; and I strove to hide my ignorance, 
either by convincing him of his error, or confidently say- 
ing, such a place lay so-and-so, when, at the same time, I 
was not certain that I had ever heard of it before. I had 
reason to be ashamed both of my former readings and my 
memory — that I could not hold a conversation with a 
common soldier of the English infantrv, who, we had been 
taught to believe, were but a pace removed from the brute 
creation. 

The corporal startled me not a little, by the frightful 
picture he represented of the ravages the small-pox was 
making in the prisons I was on the way to join — saying, 
upwards of three hundred had died since the disease had 
first broken out, and that but few recovered from its ma- 
lignancy, owing either to the virulence of the malady, or 
the bad treatment of those attacked. He likewise cau- 
tioned me how to take care of myself the first week in 
prison, or till I became acclimated to the fogs of the heath 
and the damp atmosphere of the stone buildings. He said 
he had known many, since his duty had placed him there, 
who, being similarly situated like myself — suffering with a 
severe cough and debility of person, did not stand it a 
week after their arrival, by the carelessness of exposing 
themselves to the heavy and constant fogs with which the 
district was visited at the present season of the year ; or 
by camping down upon the floors of the prisons, till they 
could find convenient places to swing their hammocks, 
many had contracted a disease of the chest, which soon 
carried them off. 

I asked the landlady if she could give us any kind of 
refreshment, when she answered — 

'Ye can 'ave a rasher o' beekon an' a pot o' beer, hif 
ye 'ave th' mounee.' 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 275 

I showed that I had the needful, by exhibiting an Ame- 
rican eagle half dollar, the only kind of change I had taken 
with me, except the pistareens, which were so judiciously 
employed in the orange speculation at Fayal ; but she 
shook her head knowingly at the worthless coin, saying — 

'Ah, noo, nbo, my lad ; ye can't kum it — I'se seed th' 
tricks afore t'day — it's noo ezee to get th' beer agin when 
oonce in ye'r paunch,' she supposing the coin to be base. 

The worthy corporal paid for a couple of slices of ham, 
and a pot of beer, which, together with my portion of hard 
biscuit I had received in the morning, was extremely 
refreshing to one in my situation, not having eaten for 
more than twenty-four hours. I only regretted there was 
not enough to go round among my comrades in adversity, 
who had not ingratiated themselves with those of as kind 
and philanthropic feelings, as my worthy corporal pos- 
sessed ; for he had thus freely expended upon an entire 
stranger, the best part of his week's pay, without the 
possibility of its being returned, or the least probability of 
ever again meeting the more than half-famished prisoner, 
to whom he had extended the hand of friendship, and (for 
one in his situation,) had most lavishly fed. 

When the wagons came up, the drivers said they had 
their weight according to contract, and they would not 
take a pound more, 'hif hall the lazy devils (meaning us) 
should perish hin her lump— hit's 'ard henuf to carry their 
filthy baggage, let halone their rotten carcasses.' But they 
had a sturdy fellow in the corporal to deal with, and one, 
by his coolness of managing such contrariness as the 
wagoners exhibited, not easily got by. The corporal 
could not only out-bluster them with slang, but he could 
show by authority he w r as acting aright. 

'Out upon ye, ye hounds,' said he, 'you shall carry 
them and give up your seats to them, likewise, and trudge 
yourselves by your horses' bridles to the end of the jour- 
ney — company too good for such inhuman stable-stained 



276 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND 

brutes as you are ; — if you dare demur, there is a section 
of the law, which sets forth certain penalties, for the 
benefit of drivers who leave their horses' heads upon the 
king's highway, as you can see by reference to a small 
memorandum book in my possession, and which never 
fails setting things as they should be.' 

One of the wagoners was still surly, and attempted to 
drive on without his portion of the prisoners, when his 
horses were seized, as was himself by the corporal and 
two of his men, and, while the scuffle was going on, I too 
was seized by others of the soldiers, and pitched on top 
of the wagon-load of baggage, with as little ceremony as 
though I had been a bag of grain. When the corporal 
saw 'all was loaded,' he sang out good naturedly, 'all 
right! (altering his voice to military firmness,) men, to 
your places!' — seized his musket, presented it towards 
the driver, and with a voice of command, said, 

'Drive on without delay to the Depot at Dartmoor — you 
are already half an hour behind your time — you know the 
consequence.' 

Whether there were cabalistic meaning in the corporal's 
words, or a desire on the part of the wagoner to drop fur- 
ther strife, I know not, but I thought the pointed argument 
at the muzzle of the musket, was the principal agent in 
causing the driver to whip up without another word. 

We had not proceeded far, before the corporal and his 
fellow-guardsman, found it difficult to keep pace with the 
wagoner's driving; for it appeared he was determined to 
make up for the half hour he had lost, and come in at the 
end of his journey, with the balance on the other side, at 
the expense of blowing his horses, and testing the speed 
and bottom of the corporal and his guard, to whom he 
owed no small grudge, as his surly face plainly told, when- 
ever, for a moment it was turned rearwards. The soldiers 
early after starting, deposited their muskets by my side, 
jocosely saying, 1 did not look, as though I intended to 



AND MARCHING TO PRISON. 277 

'rise and take the baggage and reserve.' Their muskets 
were soon followed by their great-coats, in which I was 
snugly wrapped by their generous owners, who said, to 
themselves, (whilst the wagoner kept up his furious driv- 
ing,) they were a burthen, but to me they would prove a 
comfort. And thus I rode the whole of the five miles, 
although fully exposed to the pelting rain, still I was 
cheered on by the light and rattling talk of these kind- 
hearted fellows. This no little lessened the agony of 
mind under which I was surFerine. 

As I lay upon the baggage in the wagon, reflecting 
upon the past, the present, and the future, my mind fast 
partaking of the scene around me, where was naught but 
rugged roughness in the face of the hill we were cross- 
ing, and a fierce whistling and deep moaning of the storm, 
with a melancholy darkness pervading the atmosphere, 
I saw the corporal pull the watch from his pocket, and I 
asked him the. time. 

'Four o'clock, precisely.' 

It instantly occurred to me, that eight weeks previous, 
as I was on the way to join the brig, a neighbouring bell 
struck that hour; and so vividly was it brought to my 
mind, I could but believe the sounds of the bell were 
yet faintly booming. As my thoughts wandered thither, 
tracing the intermediate eight weeks of difficulties 
through which I had passed up to the present time, with 
the uncertain future before me, I compressed my eye- 
lids with desperation, striving to shut out the horrid 
reality, only to have it the more vividly portrayed to my 
inner mind, by not being detracted by surrounding ob- 
j jets. 

On arriving at Princeton, within half a mile of the De- 
pot, a halt was called, for the soldiers to resume their 
arms, and appear a little more in military array. At the 
expense of the steward's purse, as a loan till the morrow, 
which contained money of a stamp that was known, I 
24 v.l 



278 ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. 

procured a pint of Jamaica spirits for the soldiers to toast 
us a farewell, the first and only drop of spirituous liquor 
I tasted while in the fast-anchored isle. 

We proceeded on, and entered the outer gates of the 
prisons, just at dusk, the rain still pouring down in tor- 
rents, and the fog so dense as to make it impossible to 
discern any object at a distance of twenty feet, while the 
wind was blowing with the violence of a tornado. 

With the turbulence of the storm, the murkiness of the 
atmosphere, together with my debility and gloomy som- 
breness, unavoidably forced upon me by combining cir- 
cumstances, I could not but believe it was a foreboding of 
coming miseries, beyond a desire to know. And now, in 
after life, while running over in my mind the sickening 
despondency, that agony of the soul, with which my mind 
was so heavily depressed on entering the prisons — that 
heart-bursting horror, whose very memory curdles the 
imagination while seeking a comparison, and leaves the 
sentence but half expressed — I know not what sustained 
me, except Him, who ever tempers the wind to the 
strength of the shorn lamb that encounters it. 



END OF VOL. I. 



m 



GREEN HAND'S FIRST CRUISE, 



ROUGHED OUT FROM 



THE LOG-BOOK OF MEMORY, 



OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS STANDING ! 



Together with a Residence of 



FIVE MONTHS IN DARTMOOR. 



BY A YOUNKER 



IN TWO VOLUMES. 
VOL. II. 



BALTIMORE: 
CUSHING & BROTHER 

lb 11. 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1S40, 

BY JOHN D. TOY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maryland. 



JOHN D. TOY, PRINTER. 



1 



CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 



PAGE. 

Chapter I.— First Week in Dartmoor, .... 5 
Chap. II.— First Walks through the Prisons, . . 23 

Chap. III.— Our Mess, 49 

Chap. IV.— Mess Table Chit-Chat, .... 68 

Chap. V.— Mess Table Chit-Chat— Continued, . . 83 

Little Nap's Advice, .... 85 

Going for the Doctor, ... 96 

Chap. VI.— Mess Table Chit-Chat— Continued, . . 105 

Nathan's Rock, 106 

Old Nabb's Race, . . . . 118 

Chap. VII. — Ways and Doings about Town, . . .131 

Chap. VIII. — Our Employments, 161 

Chap. IX.— A Short Description of the Depot, . . 177 

Chap. X. — Beginning of the discontent which led on to the 

Massacre, 186 

Chap. XI. — The Massacre, 196 

Chap. XII.— A Chapter without a Subject, ... 221 

Chap. XIII.— Last Week in Dartmoor 246 

Chap. XIV. — Leaving the Prisons and Marching to Plymouth, 265 
Chap. XV.— Sailing for the United States, . . .281 

Chap. XVI.— Arrival at Boston, 306 

Chap. XVII.— Conclusion, 320 



GREEN HAND'S FIRST CRUISE. 



CHAPTER I. 

FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

As soon as we dismounted from the wagons, the rive of 
us were ushered into the clerk's office, to have our names 
recorded and numbered according to seniority of entrance, 
and our ages, heights, complexion, trades or employments, 
and birth-places, noted down opposite to our names. My 
number was 663*2, which shows how many prisoners had 
preceded me in the dismal abode I was about entering. 
After each had been gone through with his registering, a 
hammock, bed and blanket were given to him, 'to be re- 
turned when released.' These preliminaries had consumed 
so much time, that when we were in readiness to follow 
the turnkey to the 'lock-up,' it was pitchy dark. 

We kept close in the wake of our conductor, fearing we 
might be left out if we strayed from his track, now being 
as loth not to go to prison, as we were buoyed up with the 
idea of not going at all, when we spoke the schooner as 
related in the last chapter but one ; for to be without shel- 
ter this pitiless night of storm and darkness, was not to be 
desired, however abhorrent to the mind, to be confined 
within stone walls, made fast by bars and bolts. 
1 v.2 



G FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

The turnkey swung open the portal, in we entered, 
and the ponderous door of bars and rivets was slammed in 
our rear, with a hollow sepulchral sound, that was only 
equalled in dolefulness by the harsh grating of the key 
and the snapping of the bolts, as they shot into their deep- 
sunk sockets in the granite jams. I stood for a moment or 
more, before I could collect my sight and senses, from the 
glare of light and the hum of many voices which burst 
upon me ; and the only conclusion I came to, was, that I 
had suddenly awaked from a disturbed dream, which had 
left me where I was in reality, in Pandemonium. 

We stood in the upper end of the first story of the 
building, all thrown into one apartment, of not less than 
two hundred and fifty feet in length by sixty in breadth, 
each and every part thickly studded with lights, and more 
thickly peopled with human beings of every possible 
shape, dress and occupation. Some were cooking, some 
were reading, some were walking, dancing, singing, 
fiddling, fifing; but more were gambling, or clustering 
around tables, on which were piled heaps of coin of all 
colours and value. No one noticed our entrance ; so 
frequently were prisoners or nurses admitted from the 
hospital and other places, after dark, that it excited no 
curiosity to those inside. There we stood, and knew not 
which way to go, as all places seemed alike occupied to 
a close jam ; no one portion of the apartment offering 
room for the stowage of either our bodies or bedding. 

As I had been the first to enter, those in company 
seemed to await for a move or proposition from me, how 
to proceed. I said if we could find out any of our ship- 
mates, who entered with the detachment in the afternoon, 
they probably could give us some directions. With this 
sage preamble, we set out upon an exploration, but had 
as little guide to go by in this unknown sea of human 
beings, as had Robinson Crusoe, in his first survey of his 
desolate island. Yet, unlike him, instead of being 'lord 
of all we surveyed,' we were more like (not in cooing 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. J 

meekness, but in forlornness,) the dove sent forth from the 
ark: for we had no place for the 'soles of our feet,' and 
had nothing but our chilled and wet carcasses, to which 
we could lay claim ; these for a certainty were ours, with 
the greater certainty of the claim not being disputed, by 
the worthless appearance of the property in question. 
We had specimens of the different kinds of mud that 
we encountered since leaving Plymouth, varied in hue 
and consistency, plastered in checkered work upon an 
underground coating of tar and grease of a seven weeks' 
gathering, and brought into full relief by the trickling of 
the rain from head to foot, making us, without flattery, 
truly amiable. 

After going the entire circuit of the first floor, without 
being 'invited in,' we then ascended to the second, crowd- 
ing and jostling through the throng of this odd population 
in fantastical dresses, and passed through its long and 
seemingly endless alleys with the like success, we had 
met with in the first story. To the oft repeated inter- 
rogatory, for those who entered before night, we were 
uniformly told, that no new prisoners had come in, or 
that none were seen to enter who appeared like stran- 
gers. §o little did the forty-four add to the large number 
of twelve hundred and fifty souls, already in captivity 
in the same building. We proceeded on to the third 
story, and here also we were to be disappointed in not 
meeting with any we knew. 

I was particularly struck with the apparent high spirits 
all were in, as I was expecting to see nothing but misery 
and wo from the time of entering the prison, till libe- 
rated therefrom. I never fancied otherwise than that 
hunger and crime stalked uncontrolled, that the weak 
were at the mercy of the strong, or that aught was here 
but weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. To the con- 
trary, every thing indicated happy feelings and blitheful 
minds, with as good order as could be met with else- 
where. None or but few appeared cast down ; and while 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

one seemed to strive how he could show more mirth than 
those around him, who were listening to his nonsense, 
another was at his books, music, mending his garments, 
or making a party of cards, draughts, or other games of 
amusement ; a third was at his stall with his scanty stock 
of goods, busily waiting upon his customers. Among the 
vast crowd, but few appeared wretched. 

We retraced our steps merely for the sake of keeping 
in motion, not likely to be gazed at by the e}-es of the 
curious. I felt my strength would not allow me to walk 
much farther, and, regardless alike of the corporal's cau- 
tion and ultimate consequences, I must have lain myself 
down upon the stone pavement, had not I suddenly came 
face to face with one I had known before going to sea, and 
with whose relations I was intimate, I gave him the wel- 
come intelligence of his friends being well eight weeks 
previous, and that I had conversed with a brother of his, 
the day I went on board of the brig. This man insisted I 
should make his hammock my bed for the night ; and, not 
knowing I could do better, the offer was accepted. My 
invalid companions, not having the same offer made to 
them, kept on in search of the like good fortune if possi- 
ble, in some other part of the prison ; for windfalls of this 
kind seldom occur in the same latitude, Avhen I lost sight 
of them for the night. 

The Doctor, as he was familiarly called by his acquain- 
tances, assisted me to divest myself of my clothing, still 
dripping with the wet they had been gathering through 
the day, and after he had warmed his blankets at a neigh- 
bouring fire, I crept between them ; and never have I 
experienced so comfortable a bed, from that night to the 
present. To add still more to my enjoyment, my friend 
procured for me a bowl of hot coffee from a cook-shop 
near by, which proved as great a relish, as the warm blan- 
kets had proved a comfort. 

The Doctor was a man of sensitive mind, and the sud- 
den and unexpected news from his relatives, made so 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 9 

great an impression upon his feelings, that he slept not a 
moment the entire night, and was either at my side, ask- 
ing questions, or hastily walking the alleys till the morn- 
ing dawned. 

The strange noises to which I was exposed and unaccus- 
tomed, prevented me from sleeping, till long after many 
others were quiet in their hammocks. I had not been 
long in that belonging to my friend, before I espyed one 
of the prisoners nearly in a state of nudity, sitting in his 
cot, close by where I was lying, who occasionally put a 
question to me, concerning affairs on the other side of the 
water, but with so abstracted an air, as scarcely to make it 
apparent whether he expected an answer, and seemingly 
not noticing it, when given to his random and irregular 
queries, so deeply was he taken up with his employment. 
I watched him closely to find out what he was about, but 
I could neither learn nor imagine, and turned over with 
the intention of sleeping ; but instead of this, I soon found 
myself pondering upon what that fellow could be about, or 
what strange freak should cause him to strip all to his night 
cap, and sit upright in the chilly draught of air, not in the 
least screened from the gaze of the hundreds that were 
constantly on the move. But their walks were as little 
annoying to him, as his posture or employment was a 
source of curiosity to them ; and to the surrounding crowd 
he paid about as much attention, as he had to the answers 
I returned to his questions. He certainly was not mend- 
ing, making, or doing any thing I had ever before seen 
done ; yet he was busily bent over his small farthing can- 
dle, which had been mostly consumed, since I had first ob- 
served him at — what, I could not tell. Once I supposed he 
might be slightly crack-brained, and had set himself about 
plucking the fibres of cotton-wool which were sprouting 
from the ends of his fingers, much faster than he could 
clear them away, as we sometimes see in the fantastical 
imaginings of the harmless crazed. Again, the idea sug- 
gested itself, that he had been taking private lessons at 



10 FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

knitting through the day, and fearing he would not be 
perfect in the morning, he was going through the false 
motions, using his fingers for the lack of needles, as school 
boys will run their lessons over in their minds when in 
bed, to make them the more easy to recite in school hours. 
My curiosity so entirely got the better of me, that I 
found it impossible to sleep or lie still, unless that chap 
either put out or burnt out his light, or I could ascertain 
what he was about; and, as it appeared the butt end of his 
candle would never be less, I resolved to inquire, rather 
than longer thus be kept in this most intolerable suspense. 
Accordingly, the nest time my friend came within hail, in 
his to and fro perambulatings, I beckoned him towards me, 
and with a suppressed whisper, lest I should be overheard 
by the busy-body who had raised my curiosity to fever 
heat, I asked what the man could be at? The Doctor, 
after casting his eyes about, without resting on my man, 
more than others within his range, said he saw no one 
particularly employed, beyond what was customary at 
bed-time. I pointed out more directly the one in ques- 
tion, when the Doctor, after looking at him and then at 
me, with a meaning that plainly told, 'you are a gaby, 1 
said with much suppressed mirth, in tones to be heard by 
the exciter of my curiosity — 

'Oh, the one without a shirt, you mean, do you ? why, 
now that his walks abroad are over for the day, he has 
stripped to see if a stray louse from a foreign breed has 
not crept into his flock ; for he has taken a strange fancy 
that none are equal to his, and is determined to have the 
breed crossed by no other, come they ever so well recom- 
mended by blood or pedigree.' 

Had he said the man was searching for the plague spot, 
or lizards which were constantly dropping from the ceiling, 
I should not have been more disconcerted, or been seized 
with a colder shudder, than I was, at the knowledge of 
there being lice among the prisoners. The tale the corpo- 
ral related, of the many deaths by the small-pox, was a 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. \[ 

mere shadow to this annunciation of the Doctor. I asked 
him if all were liable to be in like condition. He care- 
lessly, as he turned to pursue his walk, said, 'those who 
choose, have them in abundance ; but others, who have 
no taste that way, and are willing to take a little trouble, 
are not bothered with them.' 

I was far from being sleepy for hours after this, and was 
devising the best preventive against vermin so loathsome; 
and I fully resolved, as far as taste went, that I was 
decidedly against harbouring any such, however close the 
connection, rich in blood or renowned in pedigree. It 
seemed strange to me, that the Doctor exhibited so much 
indifference to a subject so revolting, knowing that he was 
from a good family, well educated, and even here, his 
dress was clean and neat, as were his blankets and bed- 
dins in the nicest order. I thought of but little else than 
the subject of the Doctor's mirth and my squeamishness 
for some time; but at last, I fell asleep, and did not 
awaken until long after others around me had turned out 
and were moving. 

The answer of the Doctor, to satisfy my prying curi- 
osity, must be his introduction to the reader; for I cannot 
give a better delineation of this worthy man's manner, 
than was manifested in his dry humourous answer to my 
query, and the nonchalance with which he treated the 
whole subject. At times he was extremely witty, but he 
seldom followed it up by sallies, for as soon as a jest was 
uttered, he left others to make the most of it, and was 
himself the gravest of the grave. 

At eisrht o'clock of the morning; after our entrance 
within the walls, the prisoners were notified to be in 
readiness to count out in messes. As each number of six 
were allowed their choice of companions, I was at once 
initiated, or voted into the one my friend belonged to, in 
the place of a member, who had been guilty of something 
derogatory to the good standing of the same. 

The men passed out of a door left open for the pur- 



12 FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

pose, and tfl every sixth man was given a numbered 
ticket, indicative of the number of his mess. Of course 
each party of six were in close connexion ; and before 
being counted out, had formed the association. There 
were many who could not become members of any mess 
voluntarily, or by consent, on account of their ill con- 
duct and rowdyism ; and when all others had passed out, 
it mattered little to them who were their companions, 
and these then went out indiscriminately, till the whole 
were ticketed. These latter were denominated 'Rough 
Alleys,' a body of whom I shall speak more fully here- 
after. 

If any through carelessness, contrariness, or any other 
cause, remained inside till the 'messing out' was finished, 
he received no rations, only as a pauper, or by a friend 
sharing with him, till the next counting out, which was 
as often as any new prisoners came in, or any number 
went to, or returned from, the hospital. The oftener the 
'messing out' was ordered, the greater harmony there 
was with the whole ; for whoever became unruly, filthy 
in person, or any wise obnoxious, he was thrust out, and 
could mess with none others but his like, the Rough 
Alleys. 

Directly after the whole had received their tickets, 
the cook's horn gave notice that the bread was in readi- 
ness to be served out ; when the one from each mess 
who received the ticket at the door, being dubbed cook 
for the day, proceeded to the cook-house, and there 
waited till his number was called. The calling began at 
the low numbers, and proceeded in regular rotation to 
the highest ; the cook received the ticket as he delivered 
the bread to the holder, strung it upon a wire, and so 
on in succession until all were gone through. At the 
next serving out of either bread or soup, the cook ot 
the mess received his ticket, together with the provi- 
sions for the day, the numbers being now called from 
the highest to the lowest. Each member of the differ- 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 13 

ent messes took his regular day as its cook, as often as 
it fell to his turn. 

I found my portion of bread so much more abundant 
than while on shipboard, that I wondered how I should 
ever be enabled to get through with it. It was made of 
barley meal, of a dark brown colour, rather coarse, but 
sweet, and when warm, light and very palatable. 

I was assisted by my new messmates, to rig up my 
hammock, set to rights my disarranged wardrobe, and 
directed where I could find the prison barber and the 
best 'washerwoman' (in man's attire.) These, together 
with many other tokens of like kindness I hope I may 
never forget. As the 'ground tier,' as well as the next 
above, in the portion of the space allotted to the mess, 
was already occupied with hammocks, mine was swung 
close under that part of the roof, which slanted down 
below the cockloft floor, and was not less than fourteen 
to sixteen feet from the landing below — a rather ticklish 
place to dress and undress, while it was swaying back- 
wards and forwards, by the unsteadiness of my movements 
while within it. Yet this was more than counterbalanced 
by its being secure from the gaze of any, and beyond an- 
noyance, by hanging higher than the others. I was over 
particular in examining its slings, before venturing my 
goodly person to the trial of its strength. The only way 
I could get to it, was by climbing a stanchion to the 
above height, and then crawling upon the beam, like the 
bear upon his horizontal limb, about ten or twelve feet, 
till I came to my sleeping, or rather swinging couch, 
where I was as snug and retired as one need desire, 
fearing no odds that might assail me, if missiles were 
not resorted to. 

After I had trimmed up, and taken a survey for an 
hour or more, about the prisons, meeting with several 
wh om I had known before sailing, as little expecting to 
see them here, as they thought of meeting me in the 
other world, besides falling in. with my comrades of yes- 
2 v.2 



14 FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

terday's march, I was lost in wonderment, so different 
was every thing I saw, from what I expected to find 
them — all, all, for the better. 

In the morning I felt stronger than I could expect, after 
the tediousness of the march, and from the previous 
evening's threatenings. The Doctor, and many others, 
confirmed what the corporal had told me at the half-way 
house, that many had come into the prisons in a similar 
situation with myself, and not finding a place to swing 
their hammocks, or who had been too fatigued with the 
march to exert themselves to self-preservation, had lain 
down upon the damp pavements, taken an additional 
cold, with fever, and died within the week. I after- 
wards had many opportunities of seeing their assertions 
verified. 

My first object now was to secure my best suit from the 
possibility of its being peopled with a population heretofore 
unknown to me. For this purpose, after well brushing, I 
folded, and enclosed it in a double covering of duck, 
stitched and sewed it till all was air-tight, determining in 
my own mind, it should not be disturbed till I was beyond 
the danger of what I was striving to avoid. 

The third day after our arrival in prison, those who last 
entered were notified to repair to the clerk's office, for the 
purpose of receiving a suit of clothes entire, with the ex- 
ception of a hat, oi either blue or yellow, stout woollen 
cloth. The suits were handed to us without the least re- 
gard to fit, the largest in size as like to receive a garment 
only suitable for a boy of twelve, as the boy was to o- e t 
one, which would hang loose upon the frame of a six-footer. 
I had a tolerable fit throughout, as good luck would have 
it, but others were on the 'list of exchanges,' as it was 
termed, and were searching about among their comrades, 
to see who had a non-fit, and was willing to swap. Now 
commenced a trial of evasion and recommendation, which 
for finesse and cunning, cannot be surpassed by the 
veterans of Wall-btreet, establishing in my mind, that 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 15 

the greater part had been either brokers' boys, in their 
early career, or were immediate descendants from those 
educated in that far-famed shaving thoroughfare. 

One with a scanty suit compared with his person, 
would stretch it to the danger of parting the unneigh- 
bourly stitches, with which it was held together, trying 
to fetch it into merchantable shape, so as to fit the one 
he was banrainins; with, of far less bulk than himself; 
while the other in turn had a large one to fashion and 
put in trim for his respected opponent — both intent upon 
the trade, but each loth to make the first advance, think- 
ing it showed too much anxiety to be rid of what was no 
use to him in its present make. Others, who had a 
garment which fitted, or was near enough, without the 
owner being over-particular, were in a bartering mood, 
claiming boot, according to the customer's necessities 
with whom they had fallen in — extolling the superior 
texture, make, cut and colour of theirs, over the worth- 
less one of their opponents, that they were anxious to 
obtain, when the true case was known, even if they had 
to give double the boot they had demanded for their own. 

Not unfrequently, when the bargains were consum- 
mated, the different parties would banter and jeer those 
with whom they had made exchanges, pointing out the 
many deficiences of the very garments they had so lately 
been extolling to the skies, thereby showing their worst 
failings were not a tact for trade. 

: May they do you much good,' as the cook said when 
he tossed a couple of hot shot to the shark, who mistook 
them for pills in a fit of the gripes ; but if you don't find 
the larboard leg of your new trousers half a fathom 
shorter than the starboard, I'm no judge of longs and 
shorts. You can hide the cripple easily, however, by 
hauling the long stocking over all — that is, always sup- 
posing they are strong enough to bear a pull ; for may I 
be blown up with a torpedo, if I don't think the sneeze I 
let off while handling them, went through and through, 
without touching a yarn.' 



16 FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

'That's more than yours will hide — they are so spare, 
and have so many inlets and outlets, you never will be 
able to find the way into them, without a pilot; and as to 
the other parts of the suit, that was so lately boasting of 
me being its owner, why, the jacket is well enough, only 
the tailor has put two left sleeves to it, and set the pockets 
upside down ; but the trousers are second-hand, as you 
may know by the crumbs of tobacco the last wearer left 
in its fob ; and by a small label on the waistband, you 
may also learn the last wearer was doing hospital duty in 
his hammock, since dead, no doubt, and has no farther 
use for them. I hope you have had the small-pox in the 
natural way, otherwise you'd best make another swap — 
hoping the next may be more to your liking than the last, 
if scowling means dissatisfaction.' 

'Top my lights, shipmate, but you have the weather- 
guage of me this time, cheat though you be. If I don't 
bother some one yet, call me a marine.' 

'Here are shoes 'paired but not matched,' as the parson 
said after marrying a couple in the dark, and found one 
was a nigger when the light came. This one was made 
for my gouty old grandfather, the toe fashioned from the 
stern of a Dutch lu^srer, while the other is small enough 
to raise corns upon the bowl of my pipe, should it wear it.' 

'I have the match for the smaller, and Hek. Johnson 
has the broad-beamed one, so let's toss up for first 
choice.' 

This was the only and last resort, when they could 
swap or exchange no longer, the missfits becoming so 
far out of the way. that none would take them from first 
hands at any odds, and they were forced to keep and 
wear them as best they could, making a most ridiculous 
figure, for the sport and jesting of their companions. 
One would have what the tailor intended to be panta- 
loons ; but with a pair of cuffs, they would answer equally 
as well for a roundabout. Another's jacket sleeves were 
placed so near in L contact upon one side, that the wearer 



FIRST WEEK IX DARTMOOR. 17 

was under the necessity of asking advice of the by- 
standers, which was the larboard and which the star- 
board, chalking them as directed, to keep his memory 
right for the future. All these mishaps, or rather miss- 
fits, were taken in much good humour, none showing 
anger at their disappointments. 

These 'served out suits' were always hawking about 
the prisons, by the Jews, (old- clothes-men,) when the 
owners wanted to raise the wind, or were over nice in 
their persons, and not wishing to appear in 'king's 
clothing.' They could generally be purchased for six or 
seven shillings, or one dollar and fifty cents ; that is, the 
trousers, vest, and roundabout. How often these suits 
were renewed to the prisoners, I know not, as none re- 
ceived more than one while in Dartmoor ; or what pro- 
vision was made for clothing us differently from the 
above, or how we should have been provided for, had the 
war continued, and we kept in confinement, I am equally 
ignorant. 

I awoke one morning, and was surprised that the usual 
noises were hushed, or not yet begun, and turned over, 
intending to sleep, supposing it was too early to rise. 
After lying till I was tired, I arose, found it two hours 
later than common, and I the last of the mess from my 
hammock. The others were up, shaved, tidily dressed, 
as were those moving around in better trim than for- 
merly, which admonished me it was the Sabbath, and the 
first to me in Dartmoor. 

The contrast to the usual noises of the prison, was 
strikingly apparent — no cries for the sale of articles, no 
music, no play, no loud laughs, all was order and quiet- 
ness, each one appeared in his best suit and cleanest 
apparel, as though he were at his native village, pre- 
pared to. attend church, and meet those who would frown 
alike upon the neglect of his person, or the careless in- 
difference as to his habiliments. 

The day was spent in reading, visiting each other, so- 
2* v.2 



18 FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

cial intercourse, rationally narrating the events each had 
passed through, in the checkered and eventful life their 
occupation had brought upon them, bringing by-gone 
circumstances again to life, keeping alive the remem- 
brance of their far-off homes, and those of their con- 
nexions, whom they hoped again to meet, after years of 
wanderings upon the stormy and troubled ocean of life, 
and speculating upon the probable time of leaving the 
prisons ; all very well knew this could not be, however, 
till the sloop of war Favourite should return with the 
ratification of the negotiations for peace. As she sailed 
about the first of January from England, she could not be 
looked for till about the first of March. 

There had at times been meetings in the prisons, by 
preachers from without; but none was held this Sab- 
bath. The day passed off as it had begun, uniformly 
quiet and still ; and I have never seen the Sabbath more 
respected in any of our populous cities, than it was here, 
while I was a sojourner within the walls of Dartmoor. 
Even up to the last of our confinement, when none had 
employment, when the whole were moneyless, dispi- 
rited, and almost frenzied with their lengthened impri- 
sonment, all looked to the coming Sabbath as a day of 
rest ; and by the quiet demeanor of the turbulent, the 
softened feelings depicted upon the countenances of the 
woe-worn, the careful adjustment of the garments of other 
times, it was manifest the day had its influence upon the 
greater part of those in confinement, either by early 
instruction, or alter association. 

My health was still getting worse, and vainly was I 
endeavouring to obtain relief from my harsh cough, and as 
vainly endeavouring to be vaccinated for the kinepock. 
Each day from the one after my arrival, did I go to the 
doctor's office in the hospital yard, at nine . o'clock, 
a. m., the hour set apart for those in ill health to re- 
ceive advice and medicine, who chose to remain in their 
messes ; but I was told at every visit, after waiting from 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 19 

one to two hours, so great was the crowd thereat for the 
same purpose as myself, to 'call again.' And call again 
I might, till the present time, if the head physician, Dr. 
McGrawth, had not intercepted me on my eighth return, 
I being the last that left the office, and inquired my 
wants. I stated I had never been inoculated, and was 
otherwise indisposed ; that I ' had called at the office 
every day since my arrival, without receiving any thing 
but 'call again ; ' and that I was certainly not mending 
under the treatment. 

After rating his subordinates soundly, none the smoother 
by his native broad Scotch accent, he inoculated me, and 
gave me a mixture which eased my cough, with instruc- 
tions to call every morning for the future whether better 
or worse. Had the dagger looks which I received from 
the basilisk eyes of his understrappers, been boluses, shot 
from their own syringes, I should have had no farther 
occasion for medicine ever after. 

At each of the visits, which were continued eight suc- 
cessive days, before the matter took in my arm, I was in 
close contact with those who Avere in every stage of the 
small-pox, except the last, yet without taking the disease. 
The prisoners had a great aversion to going to the hospital, 
and many would not go till the last moment. When the 
scab on my arm was in a proper state, I was required to 
be in the office daily as usual, to have the matter trans- 
ferred to others, who were to be inoculated ; but after the 
third morning, I was among the missing, when the list was 
called. Whether search was made for the absentee, was 
not known, but up to the present time he has not been 
there, nor have they ever encountered him. I found 
when the superintendant was engaged, little attention was 
paid to the sick by the others, and the medicine they had 
latterly given me, with the exception of the cough drops, 
did me more harm than good. Albeit, I had no small 
misgivings, that my former complaints to the head physi- 
cian, with the consequences, were still remembered by his 



20 FIRST WEEK IX DARTMOOR. 

subordinates, and might be cancelled by a change of my 
cough mixture, with the certainty of its curing the cough, 
at the expense of what I valued more, without the public 
ever being the wiser as to the cure, or my relations why 
I tarried in England ? So I firmly resolved to let nature 
take its course, and either live or die in the prison with 
my kind-hearted messmates, who were doing every thing 
to relieve me, their scanty means allowed. 

I may as well go on with myself and be done with it, 
but I would sooner speak of any -six others, be they friends 
or enemies ; yet in spite of our endeavours, the first person 
singular will thrust himself upon one's attention whether 
favourably received or not. 

I had gradually been getting worse, from my entrance 
into the prison, till I was extremely ill; and one Sunday 
my sickness, aggravated by the cough which had greatly 
increased, was such, as to cause me to think seriously, I 
could stand it but little longer, unless speedily relieved. 
I had taken no nourishment for several days, and I was 
so low as to be unable to help myself. I believe this was 
the only time I felt a conviction, that the sickness under 
which I was suffering would terminate fatally. After try- 
ing every expedient my messmates could devise for my 
relief, ineffectually, my friend the Doctor recollected he 
had a quantity of wormwood in his bag, that he had pre- 
served in good condition since his capture ; this he boiled 
until it made an extremely strong and bitter decoction, 
and gave it to me in a dose sufficient to kill or cure a 
horse, or a family of horses, if bitterness and quantity have 
either virtue or bane in them. 

My medical acquirements then were not so profound, as 
to allow me to say, that such a dose was judiciously or inju- 
diciously administered ; nor are my elaborate readings now 
only sufficient for me to know, that Lee has long since 
given place to Morrison, who, in turn, has had to knock 
under to Brandreth, and that quackery stalks unblushingly 
throughout the land. But of this much I am certain, that, 



FIRST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 21 

immediately on taking the decoction, I slept, nor did I 
waken for thirty hours afterwards. As soon as I opened 
my eyes I felt a change for the better. I was in a profuse 
perspiration, which had continued from soon after I first 
slept. I gradually mended, till I entirely recovered my 
strength and elasticity, though not till three months had 
expired, from the time of my swallowing this strong de- 
coction of wormwood. 

During my long slumber, from which no efforts of my 
friend could arouse me, it began to be whispered about, 
'whose fault was it, that he was drugged so high ?' The 
Doctor, notwithstanding his squirmings to avoid investiga- 
tion, reluctantly had to father the blame, which was freely 
thrown out within his hearing, at the supposed dangerous 
effect, that must follow his over-dose, and could screen 
himself from the fault of not holding a consultation in no 
other way, than by boldly saying, his title fully legalized 
his proceedings. As he risked his reputation on the cure, 
so of right he ought to have all the praise ; for verily to 
him and his decoction are the public indebted for the life 
of him, who is inditing this for their edification. 

Some few weeks subsequent to my 'first week in Dart- 
moor,' it was rumoured that more prisoners Vere on the 
way from Plymouth, who, I supposed, might be the re- 
mainder of the crew of our brig. I was long upon the 
look-out before they arrived, and at last was much grati- 
fied at seeing the tall figure of the Fifer, surmounted by 
the red cap of port-hole memory, among the throng, as 
they were ushered through the gate, at the upper end of 
the market square. 

This portion of the brig's crew had been sent round 
from Fayal to St. Michael's, where they had to remain till 
a vessel was found to take them to England. The Fifer 
was nearly naked, so careless had he been of his cloth- 
ing. He said it was not his fault, 'for looking after one's 
duds, I am not used to, and hang me if I think I ever 
shall be, till I have nothing to look after.' I thought 



22 FIRST WEEK IX DARTMOOR. 

the time was nearer at hand than he was aware, when 
his attention might be turned that way, without any accus- 
ing him of letting matters of graver import pass, while his 
mind was taken up with the adorning of his person. I 
had the satisfaction of rendering to his comfort, the like 
kindness the Doctor had shown me when I first entered 
the prison. This, together with the clothes he had given 
to him the next day, put him in tolerable trim. But the 
sailor suit became the wearer as little as the wearer graced 
the blue jacket and trousers. 

I had likewise the satisfaction of meeting the kind- 
hearted corporal, who fought so bravely that I should ride 
over the hills leading to Dartmoor. 

Nimble Billy had absolutely grown fat since I saw him 
last; and he had now learned to look upon nothing as 
strange ; nor would he, if taken to the king's palace at 
Windsor, and told that was to be his prison-house, so 
utterly different was all from his expectations. He was 
told by one of the brig's crew, 'that if he ever leached 
his home, it would take a six months' unravelling to get 
the kinks and knots out of his knowledge-box, before he 
would be fit for shore duty.' Billy said nothing, but 
looked very much as if he should like to be on the trial. 

The smiling face and well-trimmed curls of the coach- 
man, were not among the least conspicuous of the de- 
tachment. No one could suppose him to have passed 
through the scenes he had encountered, with his former 
trig appearance unimpaired ; for were a coach in readi- 
ness, he would have mounted the seat, without any one 
knowing he had been otherwise engaged. I mentally 
came to the conclusion, (probably if I had spoken my 
thoughts, some one within hearing might have confirmed 
my reasonings,) that he must naturally possess cleanly 
habits, or I was for the time being, a great sloven. How 
he managed to keep himself so tidy, I know not, unless 
by the enveloping his person with the great-coat and 
three-yard square shawl, without which he had never 
passed a moment. 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 23 

Our captain and first lieutenant were paroled out, after 
a day or two messing in prison, and resided at Ashbur- 
ton, some twenty miles distant from the Depot, with the 
other prisoners of war, who were also entitled to their 
parole. All within the walls fared alike, none having 
the least preference or distinction above his neighbour, 
except by natural abilities and personal qualifications, 
such as will always place one man above the level of 
another. Had the guns of the brig been thrown over- 
board during the chase, the two officers before mentioned 
could not have obtained their parole. No one enjoyed 
it, but such as commanded a certain number when 
taken. 



CHAP. II. 

FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

My first walks through the prisons were interesting in 
the extreme, and afforded me much amusement, as well 
as matter for reflection and instruction. Apart from the 
idea that I was one of the throng, nothing could be more 
delightfully engaging. Perhaps I was the more taken 
with the walk, by being accompanied with the Doctor, 
who had an abundance of ready wit, lively humour, and 
instructive good sense ; and above all, he possessed that 
happy knack of mingling raillery with praise, buffoonery 
with gravity, ludicrous grimace with a serious aspect, 
without others, unacquainted with his manner, knowing 
which was his drift. 

Here sits a man, of rough and uncouth exterior, busily 
engaged fashioning a tiny ship, from such materials as 
he can collect, giving it the rake, rig, and jaunting ap- 
pearance of the one he sailed in when in his glory, and 



24 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

his greatest favourite — imitating it to exactness, as to num- 
ber of guns, stripes at the sides, figure-head, and all other 
particulars, save the name, which he has christened after 
his former sweetheart, as you can read, by looking below 
her cabin windows. This feature goes far to show the 
constancy of a sailor's thoughts, however his conduct 
may be exaggerated by evil reports. This industrious 
fellow never tires at his finical job, having already spent 
months at his favourite, but not yet half finished, ship of 
the line, which, when completed, he intends to box up, 
and take with him, when he gains his liberty, to his 
home, to give it as a keepsake to that 'dear little dar- 
ling,' his former sweetheart, whose name she bears, and 
who, most likely, is now a grey-headed matron, sur- 
rounded by daughters, older than she was herself, more 
than twenty years back, since the one has seen or heard 
of the other. On all other subjects this man is perfectly 
sane. To convince him of the falsity of his musings 
would be cruel in the extreme, and but little less than 
an infringement upon sanctity itself. 

Now we have fallen in with an industrious firm of half 
a dozen, each differently employed. While one is cob- 
bling at a pair of wooden soles, of an inch in thickness, 
which he is striving to fasten in their proper places, by 
driving in nails of sufficient length to clinch ; another is 
covering a worn-out hat-body with canvass, to be after- 
wards smeared with wax, blackened and polished, till it 
is in a suitable condition to receive its christening; of a 
real 'tarpaulin.' The third is plying busily his single 
needle of bone, converting the ravellings of his cast-off 
stockings into a new-made pair of gloves, the material 
being finer than common ; the coarser yarns are worked 
into caps, suspenders, and stockings again, which will 
always sell at the many stalls you see about the prisons, 
where the like commodities are kept. The fourth is at 
his" former occupation before he tried his luck upon the 
ocean, giving the latest tip to a new-made sailor's suit of 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. '25 

navy blue broadcloth, which a customer of his has been 
enabled to raise, with the last and final dividend of the 
prize-money accruing and due to him, while doing duty 
as an impressed seaman, before he gave himself up as a 
prisoner of war, and was here incarcerated. 

The fifth is busily dealing out a dark-coloured beve- 
rage, first from one, then from the other tin boiler, with a 
furnace attached to each, to his numerous customers in 
waiting, with a promptitude and handiness, that not only 
shows the long practice he has had at the occupation, 
but also tells his fitness of temperament and zeal to excet 
others in the same line of business. The beverage he 
serves up to his customers is not unlike the countryman's 
sign, so little resembling what the painter intended, that 
he found it necessary to put underneath, 'this is the man, 
this the horse ;' so with this loquacious dealer in hot 
slops, no one can know what he is drinking, when at the 
stall, only for the standing sign above. 

'At hap'urth a point, hot teay sold heaer, 

Hot kofy at dubble the furst, 
If les, in a weak, bye hoka, we fear 

We shud fale, so dam'me — no truste.' 

You can hear by the questions asked, the landlord 
as often draws out of the wrong boiler as the right, in 
his hurry that none shall be kept waiting for their morn- 
ing's meal, and the customers have only his word that 
they have what their tastes so peculiarly crave. Nay, 
if it were not for the known honesty of this caterer, I 
should think the difference of price between the two 
slops warped his memory at times; for while we have 
been loitering here, he has thrice drawn from the teapot, 
when he should have tapped the coffee, without the 
guests knowing the trick put upon them. This firm de- 
serves all they gain, for their tact in making the tea 
not to be distinguished from the coffee, and vice versa, 
still charging double for the one than the other. 
3 v.2 



26 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

The sixth stands cook for the day, as you see, while he 
is busily gathering up the dishes from the mess table, 
preparatory to taking them with his neat kid to the run 
of water out-side for a wash, (not liking to displease the 
missus by sprinkling the carpet,) afterwards they are to be 
arranged in the window recess, with as much taste as the 
ingenuity of the man can display. The thriftiness of 
these men, tells well the success they have met with, as 
much by the dashy appearance they are enabled to make 
when off duty, as the certainty that when leaving the 
prisons, each can take with him in coin the greatest half 
of a thousand dollars, which a certain box in their mess- 
place can verify, if needs be. This is another instance, 
where men are determined to do, against all odds they 
will succeed. 

There to the left is a new beginner at shop-keeping, 
who has but just laid in his goods, consisting of a pound 
of butter, a plug of tobacco, half a dozen pipes, as many 
skeins of thread, a paper of needles, and eight or ten 
rows of pins. He already shows the future merchant, by 
the multiplicity of his designs in exhibiting his scanty 
stock, so as to make it appear as large and attractive, as 
his neighbour's of longer standing across the wav, who is 
now sneering at his rival, for hoping to entice the secure 
custom from his well-established stall, by adding a crumb 
of butter of a pea's size to the top of the usual penny's 
worth lump. If one may be allowed a free use of his 
opinion, by the industry of movement, tact at displaying 
his valuables, and intelligence of physiognomy, the new 
trader is like to supplant the one of longer standing, in the 
good business he has been driving without opposition ; for 
now there is an opposition, many customers of the former 
can find faults, when before they displayed no dislike, at 
either the price or the quality of the goods sold them. 
These fault-finders are generally confined to those, who 
once have been in credit, or would like to stand on the 
debit side of the ledger. Now the new trader is making 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH TIIL PRISONS. 27 

his first sale; and if his adroitness, at slipping off the 
pea-sized crumb from the larger lump, unseen by the 
purchaser, does not tell from what section of the States be 
hails, it matters not whether others are left in their igno- 
rance in this important fact, or not. 

Hark ! oh, that is the crier of the prison, who will 
shortly be this way, for he goes through every avenue 
before he is done with his duty. We will just glance at 
a few of the many pictures this man has for sale, till he 
comes along. You see the greater portion of them are 
representations on ship-board, battles, and such things as 
the painter is best acquainted with. Although of much 
ingenuity, he ventures not beyond his knowledge. 

Here comes the one we are waiting for, who is a great 
favourite among the prisoners — always striving to make 
others laugh, but is never seen to smile himself— yes, he 
is never without his smile, but laughs not. His long and 
severe duty on board a British man-of-war, as an impressed 
seaman, has given him a little of the head-and-shoulder 
push forward, and a timid rather than a tottering gait, else 
he would still measure his six feet. The low-crowned hat, 
with curled brim or continued gutter, tells, by the peculiar 
manner it is worn, the owner is a man of mirth and fun. 
If we listen we shall know why he is out with the call and 
the whistle, a better cannot be blown in prison. With his 
other attributes, he claims to be a legitimate rhymer; but 
at times he is as sadly deficient in memory, as is the tea 
vender, and often makes worse blunders without the gain, 
especially when he attempts to soar. 

'Know ye all, short and tall, great and small, that Bob 
Star and Shott Morgan are to settle the difference that is 
between them, to-morrow morning at half past nine o'clock, 
at the ball-alley, the usual place for affairs of this kind ; 
and, as Bob is a rare one, and Shott is a dare one, and the 
box is a fair one, much sport is expected ; so now come 
and see, this chicamaree, and know that 'tis me, Old Davis, 
afflicted, who is crying you this notice ; although a little 



28 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

rounded in the shoulders, yet he's a r-r-r-r-eady old dog ! 
whether or no, Tom Collins ! ! twee-it ; twee-it ! tu-wit ! 
tu-wit-twit-twit-twit,' and away he goes with his whistle, 
to vary his crude poetry at the next corner. These re- 
nowned pugilists have given him a penny each, to gather 
a crowd, that the fight may come off with eclat. They 
will both have their seconds, and the set-to will go orl 
with as much decorum, as such scenes can, with proper 
regulations. 

Now we are jostled in our walk by this 'Jew-pedlar,' or 
'old-clothes-man,' though young in years, with his pyra- 
mid of hats upon his head, and altogether so loaded with 
his commission goods, as to be nearly hidden from view' 
himself; the more so by the wish to exhibit each of the 
many owners' wares to equal advantage. By his hanging 
the blue trousers astride his neck, with the Avaistbands 
spread upon his broad back, one might suppose his object 
is to display them to the best advantage, to quicken the 
sale ; but his aim is, to keep the brown patch stitched to 
the seat with light thread, out of sight. Across each arm 
are three or four shirts of different material, stripe and 
colour; — tied to each of his many-buttoned waistcoat, is 
either a stocking, cap, comfort, or variegated basket — the 
good qualities of each he is telling forth to those within 
hearing, in all the quaint sayings, ludicrous grimace, 
bombastic style and vociforous gesticulation he is master 
of, to attract buyers to his goods and wares. 'Here is the 
hat, (twirling it upon the tip of a cane) which was worn 
by the brave Decatur, when he boarded and set fire to the 
frigate Philadelphia, in the harbour of Tripoli, giving the 
Turks a chance of a roast or a swim, when hanging: was 
too good for such thieving infidels, who recite their prayers 
as my competitor over the way praises his goods, without 
meaning what he says, a crime worse than being Turk, 
Jew and heathen together. The hat, the hat, who'll buy 
the hat, which has a charm that will ward off the bullets 
of the enemy, as can be seen by the one which entered it 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 29 

on that memorable occasion, without harming the head it 
covered. Who'll buy a charmed hat, now going cheap ? 
Who'll buy the charmed hat for one shilling and nine- 
pence ? the buyer by giving two shillings, can have a look 
at the bullet that entered the hat, for the odd change. 
Now buy the hat, that one was shot, while on the head 
of him that took, and killed outright a bloody Turk, with- 
out himself once being hurt; now r here it twirls upon the 
cane, that once belonged to him so great of Trafalgar's 

* ODD 

almighty fight, which can be had for a shilling, with bond 
and security (as far as hard promises go) that the ferule is 
of solid silver, and alone worth eighteen pence, at half the 
price old metal is selling at. Or if the hat or cane don't 
suit, try a cap that was worn at the battle of the Nile, by 
one that was so close in the fight, as to have its nap car- 
ried away by the enemy's shot, till it was left in the 
threadbare state you see it. Had I the impudence of some 
in the trade, I might say it had a charm against danger, 
but I scorn to say what I have not authority to prove.' 

And thus the fellow is rattling on, giving each of his 
many wares their necessary puff, without partiality to 
any, if we except the entire suit his good body is co- 
vered with, which belongs to a particular friend of his, 
who has been for a long time sick in the hospital, but is 
now convalescent, and wishes to raise the wind against 
the day he comes out, by parting with this suit of cloth- 
ing. To quicken the sale, or to exhibit the clothes to 
advantage, the pedlar has taken this method, without appa- 
rently its having answered the object, as no price has as 
yet met the wishes of the salesman, and probably none 
will, until another suit is handed him of equal fit and 
fashion. We shall see many of this man's calling but 
none of greater tact, readier wit, finer fancy, more favour- 
itism, or surer thrift, than this Jew-pedlar, Frank Dolphin. 

While we are loitering, up comes a bawling chap, with 
'hot plumgudgeons ! who'll buy nice large hot plumgud- 
geons, for a penny a-piece ;— just now smoking from the 
3* v.2 



30 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

frying-pan, warranted to cure all diseases, and a never- 
failing remedy for that very unpleasant, as well as ungen- 
teel complaint about the region of the stomach, most 
commonlv felt after some hours fasting, vulgarly called 
hunger; — come, buy my large, fine lot — crisping, nice 
and smoking hot — plumgudgeons, for a penny ; be quick, 
I have not many — they've double the worth of fish, to 
say nothing of the dish, the potatoes and the fat, onions, 
pepper and all that ; — at once now don't you all, for plum- 
gudgeons so fast call, but give time for me to see, if all 
pay who've bought of me. Oh-ho ! my brown plumgud- 
geons, hot, crisping, nice and smoking hot.' This being 
interpreted, means, boiled potatoes, mashed, flavoured 
with codfish, (the mixing of the fish with the potatoes 
cannot be called more.) put into saucer-shaped cakes, and 
fried to a delicate brown — a very palatable dainty, here or 
elsewhere. 

Now here comes that chattering, monkey-faced negro, 
with his platter of fritters piled chin high, who has gained 
the reputation of making the best in the prisons — mayhap, 
his trumpet-toned voice has no small share in drawing 
buyers to his delicately flavoured fritters. He has the art 
of making them appear double the size of others in the 
profession, without the waste of material, by the peculiar 
blistering he <Hves them. 'Fr-r-r-r-itters lighter dan da 
'punge, bigger dan a nobodies — de pan so clean what fry 
'urn, a man can shabe heself in, or see he purty face, 
dout tearing it to tatters ; — tur-r-r-r-it ! tur-r-r-r-it ! frit ! 
ter-r-r-frit ! ter-r-r-frit !' The fellow's tongue is hung in 
the middle, with a double spring at each end, of a quiver- 
ing material, to keep it in operation. 

Now come we to the region of good living, by the 
savoury smell that assails our olfactories, from yonder 
table of well-spread dainties, whose proprietor can vie in 
taste or display, with any in Christendom. Look at the 
nice trussing of yonder suckling, which is not yet old 
enough to enter the porker state ; how gracefully is it re- 



"FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 31 

lieved by the fowl at either Hank, as are the whole shaded 
by the curling stems of the delicately bleached celery. 
The heavy goose, farther down the table, is not unlike a 
dismantled three-decker, moored to protect the smaller 
fleet, which are hovering under her lee, that the first crash 
of the attack shall fall upon the tough ribs of this uncon- 
quered of many a fight, which show symptoms of a deter- 
mined resistance ; and whose enemies, after silencing her. 
will have but a poor relish for a fresh onset upon this fleet 
of duck, fowl and quail, which, with each a butter-boat at 
its stern, show a wish to gain the shoal water of safety, 
rather than risk a bout with a victorious enemy, in which 
they must inevitably be cut up and destroyed. So nicely 
are those perch browned, that it requires a second look to 
say they are yet without their scales. The round of beef, 
with its volcanic shape, now throwing off its savoury steam, 
from its smothered internal heat, is not second to the sur- 
loin sweating its surplus fat from each and every pore, 
indicating the hot region it has but lately passed through. 

Here come the patrons of this richly overloaded table, 
in the shape of a trio of portly fellows, who have been 
successful at the faro, and knowing 'what is mine to-day, 
may be yours to-morrow,' in this uncertain business of 
theirs, they are resolved to have one full meal, and that 
one fit for a king ; for to-morrow they will have lost their 
all, and be obliged to go upon their rations alone, as others 
do, who are more honest than themselves. By the length 
of the table, the number of covers, and the varieties of 
meat, fish, fowl and pastries, one can judge of the busi- 
ness the proprietor does. At this board, a dinner will cost 
three shillings, enough to keep a man for a week, together 
with his rations, when expended judiciously, and yet he 
may live well. 

As seduction is in the looks of the many gambling 
tables, both to the right and left, covered with heaps of 
copper and silver coin, according to the respectability of 
the company around them, we will give them a wide 



32 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

berth, and pass on to the glazed window to the right, 
which affords light to the master and his pupils near by. 
The teacher has a severe task in explaining the difference 
in the meaning of the hackneyed 'young idea how to 
shoot,' and the practical illustrations his class have re- 
ceived of such things ; for their minds are so set with 
'ram home well — throw in the langrage — depress a little — 
steady lads — wait the roll — let 'urn have it — fire!' that 
any one who can make them disbelieve what they already 
'know to be right,' deserves LL. D. to his name for his 
powers of reasoning, or A. S. S. for attempting what is 
impossible. Here, at the end of the table is one of fifty, 
if greyness be authority, as busily poring over the first 
rudiments of spelling, as ever he was, when working a 
turk's head at the end of a hard rope, under the eye of 
the officer of the deck. Hear him gravely remark, that 
he is all in a snarl, lost in the fog, at finding be in one 
place, and bee in another; swearing in the midst of his 
troubles, that the printer has spliced on the extra e just to 
crack his brain, when if ever he comes athwart his hause, 
he will show him a harder argument. The teacher sets 
him aright. 

Opposite to the weather-beaten speller, sits one at his 
figures, substituting the table-top for a slate, and chalk for 
a pencil. The hard grinding of his teeth, together with 
the many thumps his head is undergoing from his lignum- 
vita; fists, conclusively show, the hard task his Turk of a 
teacher has given him ; but whether the thumps are thus 
lavishly plied to knock out the problem, or knock in the 
necessary sense to solve it, is not so apparent. 

'Teacher, my old lad o' wax, you say, by adding the 
two lines of figures together, and carrying according to 
rule, I shall get my right reckoning — now I have added 
all I know, besides much I am ignorant of, and have car- 
ried the sum to every corner of the table, yet I'm as far 
from port as was the monkey, when he mistook the ash- 
hole, after spreeing all night, for his own box, saying, 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 33 

'snuffling and sneezes, what a smothering atmosphere.' 
I'm not the first to find fault or breed a mutiny, but unless 
I shortly get soundings, I shall become desperate, rub all 
out, and begin anew.' He is relieved by the teacher 
doing his figurings for him, thinking it shorter, than going 
again for the twentieth time into particulars. 

But here is one, who can do, as he applies mind to 
matter in forming his letters — his death grasp to the pen, 
fully shows his determination to do or die ; and were he 
splicing a cable off Cape Cod, in the month of December, 
he would not twist and work harder, with his frosty mar- 
lin-spike, than he does with his pen. Now, by the 
enlarging of the eyes, and gradually circling the mouth, 
is he doing his best at the o — giving the mouth a wide 
expansion, but ending with a puckering eyelet, as he con- 
nects the lines at the beginning. Again, by the cramp- 
ings of the face, twisting it to a strong side glance, regard- 
less of the nose taking the place of the larboard eye, while 
its starboard is altogether knocked out of line, he is endea- 
vouring: to win the next medal for the most delicate hair- 
stroke and curve line. Now is this veteran of fifty or 
more, reaching fonvards with the firm but determined 
lunge of a boarding-pike-thrust, to fashion the capital letter 
to his liking — still he is pressing on, as oft before in the 
deadly onset of boarding — look ! by his eagerness to excel, 
nothing less than a shout can be expected, or a leap for- 
ward — there ! he is upright ! storming at an unruly urchin 
of some ten years his junior, for having thrust a pin to its 
length in his stern. The writer has been so absorbed in 
his task, as scarcely to feel the pin at first, till the mis- 
chievous scamp gave it the finishing drive and cleared out. 
It was this that caused his Teachings forward, and not the 
intention of boarding an enemy, nor the endeavouring to 
form the capital, for he had not progressed so far in his 
studies, a mistake I am happy to correct before its getting 
abroad. 

By this discoursing of sweet sounds, we can be in no 



34 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

less a latitude than that of a teacher of music, who has 
a variety of performers around him, with fife, flute, cla- 
rionet, a trio of violins besides his own, all of different 
keys, and none in tune, each heartily striving to drown 
the discord of his neighbour's instrument, by the harsh- 
ness of his own unmusical sounds. The teacher is scra- 
ping away lustily upon his only remaining string, and he 
is doing good service both to his class and his hearers ; 
which should be a sufficient excuse for the lack of the 
given number that he is not able to replace, till the 
next quarter bills become due ; but he is promised the 
loan of a full-strinsred instrument at the ensuing exhibi- 
tion, for which they are now practising, provided he is 
disappointed in the promptness of his pupils to pay up ; 
so on no consideration shall the public be disappointed in 
their expectations. The exhibition to take place without 
regard to weather. Let me ask a question of this by- 
stander, who is making ears of his mouth, by the way he 
is stretching it. 

'Can you tell me whether the man with the clarionet 
is in fun or in earnest, in ecstacy or pain ?' (A look is 
the only answer.) 

'Perhaps you can say, by his gobbling its end, twist- 
ing his body, and thus desperately stretching his eyes — 
is he trying to swallow it, or is he endeavouring to hold 
it from being drawn in by the tremendous suction caused 
by the strain put upon his stomach in striving to keep 
up with the others?' Another look, with a move to 
the left, where the sane portion of the audience are 
standing.) 

We will take a look into this boxing academy, if we 
can penetrate the compact ring of spectators, whose num- 
bers argue well for the taste for science. While the 
boxers are busily engaged with their clumsy gloves, pum- 
melling each other's knobs and ribs, for the amusement 
of the junior fry, who are yet to be the Cribs and the 
Mollineaux of boxing celebrity, the most renowned heroes 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 35 

in all Christendom, in the youngsters' estimation, we 
will keep an eye upon that mercurial chap, who has 
caught the infection of this all-absorbing play, and is 
now squaring away at the post in his front, trying to 
restrain his elbows from their hankering propensity of 
flying out at right angles, then jerking back in a threat- 
ening obtuse angle, to again be brought in a line with 
the mischievous fists at the arms' extremities, which be- 
gin to coil in hostile array : and, I believe, are the more 
guilty of the two, by their pugnacious intentions of pick- 
ing a quarrel with the cleet nailed upon the post, which 
the boxer has mistaken for the nose on his antagonist's 
face, and seems determined to tap it for claret ; but he 
will speedily be sensible of his error, if he does but graze 
the wood with his knuckles, in one of the many scientific 
hits he is furiously making at it, each one closer than the 
last — good ! He's got it now — he's already hit the wood, 
but finds the claret nearer home, than his selfish feelings 
relish. By his hopping first on one foot, then on the 
other, giving the relieved one a high twitch up, while 
mumbling his skinned knuckles in his mouth, one might 
suppose that the pain is in doubt where to locate ; or that 
the sudden transition of this solo boxer's amusement has 
so distracted his ideas, as to make it entirely uncertain 
where it lies. One w<ord in his praise ; his elastic spring, 
excellent — his guards, none better — hits, good, but not 
well followed up. 

In yonder corner is a dancing-school, which we might 
have passed without seeing, only for the heads of the 
dancers bobbing one above the other ; for they are noise- 
less, compared to the surrounding crowd. The teacher 
of this divine art, unlike him of the musical school with 
the one-stringed fiddle, which, by-the-bye, argues sadly 
against the taste of the community towards this polite 
accomplishment, cannot raise the wherewith, by his pro- 
fession, for either strings or fiddle ; but he does far to 
make good the deficiency, by going through the false 



36 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

motions to a nicety, of both fingering and bowing ; and 
his supplying the notes from his own inimitable whistlings, 
is a substitute for the violin of no mean worth, espe- 
cially if accompanied by quirks and grimaces suitable to 
the tune, and judiciously put in; and then it is much 
more laughable than the scrapings upon a real Cremona, to 
the by-standers, who are watching his nervous excitability, 
as he comes to any particular turn in his tune, by the 
stretching of his lank, crawling fingers to his wrist, and 
holding fast the supposed instrument with his chin. Now, 
he slides back and forth, up and down the finger-board, 
and ends with that graceful trill, worked out from the 
extremity of his every limb, in which his head comes 
in for the greatest share, as the whistling changes to a 
low blubbering growl of savage sullenness. How vain 
to attempt imitating this master movement; and it is 
doubtful whether he ever could get through with it 
himself, only by the admirable manner of his handling 
the bow. These by gesture and costume are entirely 
French, both teacher and pupils. 

Let us pass on, making no stop at the numerous crib- 
bage and draught players, card parties, the many glee 
clubs and other sociable gatherings which we may meet, 
as they can be seen any day, when nothing more interest- 
ing offers. But here at this theatrical establishment, we 
will stop and take a look inside, before the time arrives for 
the performance to commence, which is close at hand, 
as you see the players have already begun to dress for 
the exhibition. 

Keep your eye upon that tall and portly fellow to the 
left of the front wing, whose face has been depopulated of 
its surplus carbuncles, to add greater attractions to the 
nose, which has gained what the face has lost, and is now 
preponderating with its heavy burthen of blotches, till its 
weight has drawn the right eye two points out of its 
parallel line with its mate ; and, as regards bulk, is worth 
the entire face. This man is to take the part of the gay 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 37 

lover; while he with the sabre-gashed nose and cheek, is 
to be the stage beauty. The latter has but few charms, 
to attract either the pity or admiration of an audience ; 
but he is selected solely on account of his certainly very 
handsome head of hair, of several years' growth. He has 
taken an oath, it shall not again be cropped, till he sees 
his country and his home. The curling locks serve in 
part to conceal the ugly scar that the sabre has made, by 
its taking an upward slant, after being well bedded in the 
nose and cheek, shoving up a pound lump or more of the 
flesh close under the eye, where it cooled and became 
stationary. As I was saying, the hair serves now, in part, 
to hide this revolting deformity, by the fanciful manner 
the owner is twisting and patting it over the left blinker 
and knarled cheek, preparatory to appearing before the 
audience. 

Whilst the lady, that is to be, is busily engaged tricing 
up the trousers' legs, so they shall not show below the 
petticoats, (the missus thinking herself too large to sport 
paddies) lest we shall be accused of ungallantry in watch- 
ing the heroine at her toilet, we can turn aside, and still 
listen to the short dialogue that is going on between this 
gay Lothario of forty-five, and his senior partner in trade, 
in petticoats, as well as co-worker in theatricals, without 
interfering with our time, as it is yet fifteen minutes before 
the audience will begin to assemble. 

'Mac, my darling,' says he in the petticoats, 'now as 
we are to receive prize-money all alike, try and do your 
prettiest — come it strong in the love scene ; but don't get 
into your tantrams, as you did the last performance; if 
you do, why the audience shall see a bit of interlude not 
mentioned in the bills, just between ourselves, began by 
me, depend upon it my joker.' 

; Blowsy, (he is called Blowsy Bet, for personating 

female characters,) you are always saying what you will 

do; were it not for the respect I have for your dress, 

your right eye should have nothing to boast over the ugli- 

4 v.2 



38 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

ness of the left, for the handling it would get from me. 
You know very well you had not studied your part, but 
had been frolicking with that devil's own, Ned Fleury, 
the whole day previous, and being ashamed to take the 
word from me, you put in such as you had to spare from 
your own muggy head, making nonsense of the whole.' 

'You lie, you lubberly son of a cow — begging pardon 
for blaspheming; — I was applauded the whole night. 
No sooner did I make my appearance, than the fellows 
began to laugh at my drollery, keeping it up, while you 
were not noticed ; and for your disappointment, are you 
belabouring me with your scoldings. Verily, I must bid 
the audience to direct their attentions to the cut-water 
in your face, as it is the most attractive feature in yonr 
playing.' 

'Yes, the fellows did laugh, but only at the careless 
lashing you had given the petticoats ; they had worked 
down below the hips several inches before you knew it, 
and while you were hitching away at the trousers, as you 
thought, you were hoisting higher and higher the petti- 
coats, till the audience could see your rolled-up tarry 
ducks, far above the knees. For this was the laugh 
raised, which you call applause.' 

'Never mind, mistakes will happen; and it is no use 
raking up old scores, because a fellow can't get the hang 
of this kind of rig-out at once. I shall strike for a raise 
of wages, for wearing petticoats, and talking female lingo, 
is equal to working two watches, any how.' 

'Besides, you freshened your nip with a new chaw, of 
double the usual size, just before the last scene ; and hug- 
ging a fellow who is ready to squirt tobacco juice in one's 
face, is very obnoxious, and I never can stand it.' 

'To give up the weed, when nothing of life — nothing 
whereby a man may know his own disposition, can be had, 
is more than I intend, to satisfy either your squeamish- 
ness or dislike — no, not if I have to 'bout ship and rig the 
toggery of others like yourself, who can't attract a notice 
when alone upon the stage.' 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 30 

'Well, to look you in the face is bad enough, with that 
cut gaping at one, let alone the tobacco juice. I advise 
you not to express yourself so freely upon others' good 
looks, till you take a squint at your own ugliness, in the 
first glass you meet with. The chap that gave you the 
wipe with his cheese knife, deserves to be kept on three- 
water-grog, for doing his work so clumsily. Had he 
pushed on with his job as he began, the cut might have 
proved fatal, and then I should have some one to hug in 
the love scenes of decent looks, at least.' 

'Fatal ! fatal ! you say ! why, the fellow never spoke a 
word — never said where we should send his back-rations 
to meet him ; — I let daylight into his weasand before it 
was fairly out of my left blinker; and if that ain't making 
it fatal, I don't know the meaning of the word. Fatal, 
indeed, the Frenchified whelp. I never should have 
rested in my grave with that chap alive ; for the lubber 
used malice, by striking me when I was hot at it with two 
others ; — had there been a boat's crew, I would have let 
them all off, for a pink at the Turk who spoilt my looks. 
How he gaped when he felt the steel in his bosom, and 
thought to frighten me by turning his eyes inward, and 
enlarging them accordingly ; or may-be it was to see if all 
were in good trim in the log-book of life, and he in fit 
order to take a sudden trip among strangers, where the 
chart of his former cruisings would be overhauled with 
impartiality. The favour I lent him did me just as much 
good as it did him harm, that is, judging from appear- 
ances.' 

The last of this is lost upon Mac, who has started to see 
how is the state of the ticket-office ; or perhaps to keep 
an occasional eye upon the treasurer, who is known to be 
a little tricky at times ; but yet a good-hearted joker, who 
lends his help behind the scenes, often takes a part when 
short-handed, can repair worn-out scenery, is handy with 
the brush, and has more than once, rather than the play 
should not proceed, or the public be disappointed, ap- 



40 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

peared in petticoats ; yet, withal, never making any extra 
charge in his salary account, for his multitudinous duties, 
ameliorating, in no small degree, his slight delinquences 
in the ticket-office. We will not wait for the play to 
commence, but may take an opportunity, when not other- 
wise engaged, to spend a six-pence and note down the 
performance. 

You see, besides individual concerns, and conjunctive 
firms, we have joint stock companies, that drive all minor 
competitors from the field. By the rapid run the many 
are making upon yonder beer cask, it is not to be won- 
dered, that the stock of this company is at a premium. 
It always stands higher in the market than that of the less 
encouraged library association opposite, who let out their 
books (mostly odd volumes) at hap'orth per week. Divi- 
dends are occasionally made by the latter, but much less 
regular than those paid by the former, which tells poorly 
for the love of letters within these walls, although much 
can be said in praise of the taste of the beer drinkers ; for 
truly the porter sold at this establishment is excellent. 

We will pass on to the outside of the prison, and not 
stop to notice farther than a glance, the many busily 
engaged trying to complete by to-morrow's market, the 
naval pictures they are employed upon ; whilst opposite 
is a trio equally as industrious tipping off their fancy 
baskets, with party-coloured straw, for the like purpose. 

But none can excel those rough-fisted, weather-beaten 
sailors, farther to the right, who are engaged upon a set 
of ornaments, worked out of the beef bones from the 
cook-house, which, when finished, will bear comparison 
with any from China, and only require a passage thither 
and back, to bring a price to enrich these ingenious 
workers. But now, if they can get a penny or two for 
each day's hard labour bestowed upon these trinkets, 
they will think themselves amply paid, as employment, 
and not gain, is their object. 

Those four, you see so industriously employed beating 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 41 

beef bones to a powder, between stones, are a firm who 
have undertaken this mode of making something beyond 
their rations, and a fair return they receive for their 
labour. As dry as these bones, which are gathered from 
the cook-house, appear, after being reduced to a powder 
and boiled, a palatable, sweet, unctuous marrow is ex- 
tracted, which is far more rich as a shortening for pastry, 
or any other culinary purpose, than either butter or lard. 
It readily commands a shilling per pound, and is bought 
up with avidity by all who know its worth. 

Let us just take a peep inside the cook-house, as it is 
near by the door we pass out; but our visit must be brief, 
for cooks like not to be troubled, as every one knows, for 
they are the best natured people on earth when off 
duty, and the worst when on. The three by the window, 
are busily engaged weighing off the bread for the next 
serving out, under the direction of the fourth, who is at 
the head of the establishment. All are prisoners, who 
obtain the situation through interest alone with the com- 
mittee of the prisons ; and they receive for their labour, 
the skimmings and slush of the kettles; but woe to their 
backs, if they are caught skimming too close; as, for the 
offence, expulsion follows conviction instanter; and if 
their crime be of a very heinous nature, they are tried 
before the committee, found guilty, and are punished by 
whipping with the cat. 

One of the committee has stepped in to see if all is 
going aright, none else having free access while cookin°- 
is being done, (the utmost extension of the phrase.) Now 
they have gone through with the bread, the cooks begin 
with the meat for the day's dinner, and are weighing it off 
in parcels for each mess, with the nicety of gold dust, to 
be again subdivided and weighed to the different members 
of the messes, when they receive it. You can see that 
we form an expensive family for his majestv to feed, by 
yonder pile of bread of more than four hundred loaves, 
weighing four and a half pounds each ; with these two 
■i* v.3 



42 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

copper boilers, each capable of holding more than a large 
sized bullock, a cart load of turnips and cabbages, and 
two or three bushels of barley, the whole mass to be mul- 
tiplied by five, the number of prisons occupied ; and this 
is to be provided every day. Besides these, there is the 
feeding the two regiments of soldiers kept here to guard 
us, as well as the numerous doctors, clerks, turnkeys, 
carters, lamplighters, &.c. &c. too numerous to particu- 
larize, as newspaper editors say, when they have nothing 
further to round off the sentence. 

This mass of flesh and vegetable in the copper kettles, 
has been boiling for the last six hours, and is nearly 
in readiness for delivery to the messes, which is one 
cause of this man of authority coming to see that it is 
properly managed, and 'dished up' at the stated period 
required by the order-book ; for the guests to be served 
are extremely tenacious of the least delinquency, of the 
horn's giving notice that 'dinner is served up,' sometimes 
placing the cooks in an unpleasant predicament, when 
they have been negligent of setting their fires going in 
the morning ; and these gentlemen boarders are equally 
as tenacious of having their soup well done, which, when 
hot, is a very palatable and nourishing broth. 

As the head cook has already cast rather hard glances 
at us, besides raising his voice to an angry key at one 
of his subordinates, for some fancied remissness of duty, 
which, in good vernacular, spells the same as the placard 
over the door, yet far more direct in its personal signifi- 
cation—'no loungers allowed here,' we will take a stroll 
in the yard, where we shall have room in common, with 
the many washerwomen in men's attire who are con- 
gregated about the different streams of water, which are 
constantly running through the yard, in great abundance. 
This is a general wash-day for all hands ; and from its 
being the only fair one for the last twelve, it makes a 
'two days' washing,' as the old women say in my part 
of the country. This is the cause of the vast number 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 43 

of clothes strung upon cords to dry in the air, of every 
colour, hue, quality and fabric known to man. Some of 
the washers are so by profession — taking in 'linen at a 
hap'orth a piece, or a penny including soap and starch — 
extra charge for ironing.' But the greater portion are 
washers on their own account, either for the sake of 
saving the penny, or that they have not the penny to 
give, nor credit till the penny comes. 

How plain it is to discern the experienced from the 
bunglers in the profession ; the latter is rubbing away 
with his fists, as though he is trying to warm the hands 
by the use of friction, while the former turns one un- 
derneath, bringing the other down with a heavy surge, 
which soon completes what will take the other hours to 
accomplish. So with the wringing; the novice takes the 
wet garment as he would a handspike, and can twist 
water from it. in about the same time it would take to 
wring the clothes dry. But the initiated seizes it back- 
handed, and when bringing the hands into a reversed 
position, it enables him to exert the strength of the elbows 
as well as that of the wrists, and by a single turn, the 
garment is ready for the line. 

That noisy set of tatterdemalions we have just passed, 
have neither location, character, nor occupation ; but are 
ever at their mischief, spunging, loafing, begging, steal- 
ing — any thing rather than being regularly employed, as 
are most others here. They go by the general term of 
'Rough Alleys,' and are a community by themselves — 
can mess with none others but their kin in theft, riot, 
and wickedness. 

We have now entered prison No. 4, occupied exclu- 
sively by the blacks, except a few whites who have been 
driven from the other prisons by their bad conduct, and 
are compelled to take up with such accommodations here, 
as they can find, or the blacks will allot them. This 
prison is almost entirely under the control of yonder 
Ethiopian giant, of six feet seven inches in height, with 



44 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

a frame well proportioned, and has strength far greater 
than both height and proportions together. Most tightly 
does he draw the cords of despotism around his good sub- 
jects, giving them an extra twist, when his white aliens 
come under his handling, as often they do, either for 
real or fancied crimes. His word is supreme, no higher 
authority can be appealed to than his. When a culprit 
is brought before him for trial, 'Big Dick,' the familiar 
name he answers to, makes short work of it — never has 
been guilty of delaying or putting off 'till next term ; ; 
and he is equally prompt with the punishment as with 
the trial, being both judge and executioner, and not 
unfrequently sole accuser. He will often, while going 
the rounds of his dominions, catch a chap at a trick he 
does not like, when without the ceremony of a trial, the 
culprit is lambasted upon the spot, and on goes Big Dick, 
to spy somebody at something, whereby he can haye a 
chance of displaying, not only his prowess, but also his 
authority, with an occasional exercise of his fists, merely 
to keep his hand in, without the semblance of crime to 
sanction the Hogging. Hard is it, for such as are weak, 
to fall under his displeasure, for they have no redress, 
and must submit to his will and his harshness. How- 
ever, it is thought anarchy would reign where now is 
despotism, only for the sway this man of might holds 
over his sable brethren. Big Dick is a great favourite 
with the authorities of the Depot, and is allowed greater 
indulgence than any other within the walls. He fre- 
quently obtains permission to pass through the gates, re- 
mains outside for hours, roaming about the fields, occa- 
sionally visits Princeton, and returns at his will. 

Here is wretchedness in all its horrors; vice here 
abounds to a greater degree than in the other prisons, and 
in sum total, amounts to more than the combined whole 
within the other buildings. By the many speckled faces 
we meet, one may know the extent that the small-pox has 
been raging, as these have but just come from the hospU 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 45 

tal, where now are hundreds confined by the same disease. 
In this prison, gambling is carried to a greater degree than 
in any of the others. The inmates here have nothing to 
restrain them, except the ready fist of their king, Big 
Dick, from indulging in all the vicious principles and 
habits man possesses. 

We will take a cursory glance at the market square, by 
going through this pondrous iron-grated gate, by which the 
prisoners are allowed to pass and repass, to lay in the 
necessary articles for their business stocks, provisions for 
their sumptuous tables — bread, flour, meats, fish, vegeta- 
bles, which you see in abundance. Here likewise the 
prisoners resort to sell their little knick-knacks for a mere 
pittance, after having spent weeks or months in the mak- 
ing of them. 

Standing by his bench is that burley Jew, with his enor- 
mous bales of cloths, of every description of colour and 
fabric, from the coarsest kind, to that of a texture fine 
enough for the wear of an alderman. Here you see the 
Jew a different being from the surrounding crowd ; their 
scornful hatred or endearing friendship is unnoticed by 
him, for he is callous to both ; his dress is unlike any, his 
speech differs from all, his looks are peculiar to the frater- 
nity — every outward object is absorbed in his trade — 
money, money alone is his idol. 

The Israelite is now trying hard to sell a suit from the 
piece of navy blue, which he is keeping from the sun, lest 
the logwood-dye may be discovered. He has tacked on 
to an old man-of-war's-man, who stands in his front, by 
some one whispering in his ear, 'the blue-jacket has the 
silver.' As the Jew has fallen to within three prices of 
the worth of his cloth, it is not improbable a bargain may 
be consummated ; but as he has now got hold of an old 
joker, it is the more probable, the owner of the cloth will 
rue it in the end ; for you see he is in an accommodating 
mood — cuts the cloth according to order, so much for 
trousers, so much for waistcoat, and so much for the round- 



46 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

about, all in scant patterns for the smallest sized man. 
Now the joker gravely tells the worthy Israelite, that 
unless he can trust him till better times, or till he gets his 
month's advance, he cannot take the cloth. It operates 
like the gridiron of old to the soles of the Jew's feet, by 
the way he is dancing and hopping about; and to make 
his curses the more efficacious, he is uttering them in 
Hebrew, Sclavonic, Arabic, or some other equally intelli- 
gible tongue to the surrounding crowd, who are jeering 
him for his mishap of having more remnants than dollars. 

The straight and handsome market girl, by yonder bench 
of vegetables, with the fancy trimmed apron, high pat- 
tens to keep her shoes from the mud, neatly turned bust, 
and by far the handsomest female that visits the market, 
is the general favourite of the prisoners; not only from 
her comely appearance, but from her extreme naivete, 
bland social expression, kindness of heart, and peculiar 
happy turn she possesses of securing the confidence of 
those with whom she has dealings. It is quite useless for 
others to try to sell, while Agnes has the article wanted. 
Equally fortunate is she over her companions, in having 
her baskets carried to and from'her donkeys, as she comes 
to, or leaves the market — each one is striving: to be fore- 
most in rendering assistance, and in displaying his zeal to 
gain a word or a smile from Agnes. But these attentions 
are lost upon the trig vegetable seller, as a certain drum- 
major can tell, who is shortly to make her his own. 

There is a knot of Rough Alleys congregating within 
the gratings, who mean no good ; for they have sent two 
of their number into the market, and if we keep an eye 
upon them, we shall shortly see either fun or mischief — 
the latter I predict, for they have set upon a Jew, who 
does not understand the manner of their doing business, 
as he is a stranger. This Israelite is as lank in person as 
he is sour in visage, and to make his frame still more 
inharmonious, from head to foot, he is a compound of 
oddities. His spindling shanks never would be tolerated 



FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. .[7 

by the body corporate, only for their being so bowed, that 
the deformity of the one fully makes up for the ugliness of 
the other ; and so on throughout, you cannot decide upon 
a feature ever so ill in appearance, but that it is balanced 
by a worse looking one near by. While one of the rowdies 
is cheapening a piece of vesting of the stranger, the other 
sees something wonderfully fascinating in the dozen of 
stockings he is handling; but as the texture or colour 
does not suit his notions of gentility, he has lain them 
down where he found them, and is sauntering among the 
vegetable and fruit baskets of those buxom young lasses 
to the left. 

But see! the bundle is slowly coming into life, and 
sidling to set clear of the Jew's bench — now it drops to 
the pavement, and has attracted the gaze and wonder- 
ment of the owner by its strange locomotive propensity of 
hitching, tumbling and side-rolling, first on end, then flat, 
now rolling, to be again as unsteady as an egg-shell in a 
counter-current ; but with all its irregular hobblings, it is 
regularly edging its way towards the gratings. The Jew 
is following and tasking his misshapen form to unbecom- 
ing severity, in his endeavours to catch the perplexing 
fantasy before him ; which, like the brooding partridge, 
coyishly slacks its flutterings, till her enemy is sure of his 
grasp, by the desperate plunge he makes, to cover her 
with his arms, when he finds all he has caught, is a fall, 
bruised knees and skinned elbows, whilst the object of his 
plunge is fast nearing her thicket of safety. So with the 
Jew and the bundle, as often as he comes up with it, is 
he 'sure of it now,' — naught but disappointment has he 
caught, however, for it is still hobbling, hobbling, bounc- 
ing and jumping about, and is nearer the gratings than 
when he made the lunge previous, back of which are the 
knot of rowdies, who are working the strings to the amuse- 
ment of the by-standers, the Jew excepted, he not being 
classed as such, for he has either been running or tum- 
bling since the scene began; and to a careless observer 



48 FIRST WALKS THROUGH THE PRISONS. 

is striving to imitate the fantastic gait, leaping attitude, and 
tumbling zigzag propensity, of the bundle, his property. 
He has now succeeded in gaining his runaway, by the 
hook having slipped from its hold, showing the careless 
manner the one has done his part, who was entrusted with 
the end of the cord, at which the hook was fastened. The 
other end is in the hands of those behind the gratings, who 
do their work better. Had the hook not broken out, the 
stockings at the next leap would have been on the side 
of safety, where the Jew cannot enter, on account of his 
religious prejudices. 

If the object of those rowdies had been frolic alone, the 
hook would have been made fast to a bale of cloth, and 
the Jew's fears would have been at an exact ratio with the 
amount of property in danger, when the moving power 
applied thereto was set in motion. I scarce need say, the 
bale could not be prevailed upon to travel farther than the 
gratings, however lavish might be the company on the 
other side, in their enticements to help it on. These 
tricks are often played upon new comers, the older traders 
being awake to all such pranks, can easily detect those 
who are the propagators of mischief, ere they have began 
their deviltries. Shoes, hats, handkerchiefs, and such 
light articles, frequently travel a space of sixty or eighty 
feet, with much speed, when no intervening objects stop 
their course, and are lost to the owners. A bunch of tur- 
nips, radishes or lettuce, and occasionally a stray chicken, 
is missing, and can be accounted for in no other way. but 
the one we have just witnessed. 

When a prisoner is known to be dishonest, he is not 
allowed to come into the market — the double guard at 
the gate prevents him from passing through, when 
pointed out. 

We will merely glance at the hospital, for infection 
rages in every ward, as can be seen by the great number 
of bunks filled, and the few empty. The room we have 
entered is of sufficient size to afford accommodation to 



OUR MESS. 49 

three hundred invalids, but it has less than that number 
at present. The good condition of the patients, show 
that Doc. McGrawth, the superior physician, has been 
here of late; for during his absence things go wrong; 
no one takes the interest that he does in the welfare of 
the sick. The many nurses you see moving about with 
noiseless tread, are prisoners employed at one or two 
pence per day, and think themselves fortunate if they 
have sufficient interest with the managers, to obtain 
these situations. Nothing can be neater, nor more com- 
fortable than the accommodation and fare, both for the 
sick and convalescent. 



CHAP. III. 



OUR MESS. 



The mess to which I belonged, and the same which 
I joined when first entering the prisons, as noticed in 
a chapter or two preceding, consisted of six persons, as 
dissimilar in disposition as possible, but yet living in the 
utmost harmony; — never, for the five months I was in it, 
was there the least jarring or even angry words. High 
words occasionally did arise between the different mem- 
bers, but I shall be prepared to prove, as a lawyer would 
say, that they were high words, though not in strife. As 
the good reader has followed me thus far so patiently, I 
hope he will permit me to introduce my messmates to 
him severally, by seniority of station ; for, in the words of 
the pedlar, 'like me, like my dog' — without them I cannot 
journey. 

The Doctor must head the list. Not from the respect 
which age always brings, (for he was among the juniors,) 
5 v.2 



50 OUR MESS. 

but by tacit consent did the others give him the head of 
the table, where he presided, with his insignia of office, a 
miniature marlinspike, at our good dinners, and also at the 
many debates which followed, always deciding the ques- 
tions which gave rise to the debates ; and whether wisely 
or not, there was no appeal from his decision — the Doctor 
has said it— it is so. 

The Doctor had been thus dubbed, not in derision, but 
from having studied with his father, who was a physician 
of reputable standing, in an adjoining county to the capi- 
tal of the Bay State. Not liking the profession, he was put 
to a counting-house in Boston, at the age of about nine- 
teen, where he remained till past twenty-one. During 
his minority he formed an acquaintance, which ultimately 
ripened into something else, with a daughter of a wealthy 
citizen, whose parents refused their consent to the wishes 
of the lovers, 'till he could show an equal match to their 
daughter's fortune.' 

He offered to go as supercargo to China, was accepted, 
and embarked with a respectable adventure of his own. 
He returned — had been fortunate, went again,' and again 
Was lucky enough to increase his °;ains to the amount 
required. He came back with the bridal dresses embel- 
lished with all the gaudy tinselings the east could pro- 
duce, found his intended bride had been faithless, and 
had married one who was her senior by two score years. 
The dazzling brilliancy of a pair of gilded epaulets, suc- 
ceeded in hiding from her sight the grey hairs which his 
military cap was unable to conceal. 

Before the Doctor had taken to the sea for ambition, but 
now he was determined to follow it, and never again to 
remain on land. As there were but few vessels at this 
time putting to sea, during the non-intercourse laws, just 
previous to the war, he could not obtain the situation 
wanted ; but he was nevertheless determined to go. He 
had oifered to him a second-mate's berth, which he ac- 
cepted — went the voyage, was on his return, when he was 



OUR MESS. 51 

taken by a British cruiser, carried into Halifax, and after 
lying in prison there some months, was then sent to Chat- 
ham ; here again he was confined on board of the hulks for 
a year, after which he was sent to Dartmoor, among others 
of the American prisoners, where he had remained till he 
was introduced to the reader. 

The facts of his disappointment I have learnt since 
my imprisonment, from others, for he never dropped a 
syllable of this affair to me, although I had reason to 
suppose I was fully in his confidence, but it appears I 
was not. I have often wondered, at seeing him rise in 
the dead of the night, and walk the paved alleys of the 
inside prison, with a haste and silence peculiar to him- 
self; but not a hint did he ever drop that he was aught 
but happy. He, as well as his intended, was highly con- 
nected in the sea-port above mentioned, as I could easily 
prove, by merely inserting three names — the Doctor's, 
the parents of the bride, and the antiquated beau's, she 
married. 

The Doctor never saw the faithless one after her mar- 
riage, although an interview was requested by all the 
other parties, to explain away certain angular points that 
did not appear quite so smooth before the public, as they 
wished. The bridal dresses were sent to her by the 
agency of an intimate friend of both parties. These she, 
in her thoughtless giddiness, accepted, which caused a 
flare-up between her and her husband, that ended in a 
divorce. 

The Doctor had a scanty 'medicine chest,' contained 
in a canvass bag, about eight inches by ten, from which 
he dealt out to the sick and the needy, to the best of his 
abilities. He likewise was no mean dentist, as far as 
strength went, and the only person in the prison who 
had the 'right sort' of pulicans ; with these he drove a 
fair business at 'threepence per tooth, including salt to 
stop the bleeding — the poor attended to gratis,' which 
was nineteen-twentieths of his custom. 



52 OUR MESS. 

The next in respectability was Nap-lo-tan, generally 
called Little Nap. This man was born upon the green 
grassy banks of the Merrimac, where his parents resided 
when he left his home for the life of a sailor. He had 
been early impressed into the British navy, where he was 
kept nineteen years, and had braved the many battles, 
with others, that eventful period had produced. When 
the war broke out between England and this country, in 
181-2, he, together with the many American prisoners on 
board the same ship, made a declaration that they 'would 
not fight against their countrymen.' Their wishes were 
granted them, and they were not compelled to do duty 
afterwards, but were sent to prison, to be liberated only 
at the close of the war, should it continue to ever so long 
a period. Little Nap was in the battle of the Nile, as 
well as that of Trafalgar ; and was attached to Lord 
Nelson's ship from soon after the first was fought, till his 
lordship was killed in the second. During this engage- 
ment his station was at one of the quarter-deck guns, 
and so near to the admiral, that 'he staggered against 
him when shot.' 

He had received his cognomen from the circumstance 
that, after the battle of the Nile, being transferred to the 
admiral's ship, then lying at Palermo, he escaped to the 
shore, when on boat duty, and concealed himself among 
the rocky cliffs upon an island, till the hue and cry 
should cease, when he hoped to get on board of some 
merchant vessel, and ultimately reach his much- loved 
country and home, to which he never for a moment 
ceased to turn, with all the childish yearnings of a board- 
ing-school lad of twelve. But his aim was frustrated by 
a reward being offered for all runaways, setting the inha- 
bitants by the ears, with the eagerness of bloodhounds, 
lest their neighbours should be before them in claiming 
the bounty. He declared he could not bob his head 
above a rock, after lying close for hours, but that three 
or four muskets would be let off, from as many direc- 



OUR MESS. »53 

tions, at him, without their asking his wishes or permis- 
sion. After toughing it out for three weeks, living upon 
roots and grass, with no other animal food than the snails 
he could pick from the crevices of the rocks, he gave 
up his first intentions, and one night swam off to his own 
ship, hailed her from the water, was taken on board, 
' and afterwards pardoned, from the circumstance of his 
voluntarily giving himself up, and it being the first 
offence charged against him, since his impressment into 
the service. From his sojourning upon the island, he 
used jocosely to say, that he had been on a mission to the 
dominions of the Napolese, and was so well received 
as to live at the public expense, with a guard to attend 
him whenever he went abroad, who kept up a feu-de-joie 
till he returned to his lodgings. This gained him his given 
name of Nap-lo-/fw, as he himself pronounced it. 

This man had been well educated in his youth, of 
which he gave evidence after a severity of twenty years' 
cruisings, and possessed more sterling sound sense, than 
commonly falls to the lot of others, with a retention of 
memory equal to any I have ever met with. There were 
none in prison that he could not converse with, although 
individuals were there from almost every country in Europe. 
He was, however, extremely eccentric in many particu- 
lars, one of which was, he had taken a solemn oath, when 
going to prison, never to have his hair cut, till he could 
see his home. And truly he might be proud of it, as he 
was; for it was of a jet black, long, smooth, luxuriant, 
and reached two-thirds the length of his back ; he would 
part it at the forehead, carry it behind the ears, and then 
let all flow as it would. This together with the upturning 
slim mustaehios, and the smallest tuft in the hollow of the 
chin, with the features all fashioned to a sharpened point, 
gave the individual a singular appearance, always drawing 
the eyes of the curious towards him, whenever he walked 
abroad. 

The dress of Little Nap was as eccentric as his per- 
5" v.2 



54. OUR MESS. 

son ; that is, what was seen, for he never appeared, 
whether hot or cold, without his enormous great-coat of 
blue shaggy cloth, large enough for a man double his 
weight, with the cuffs rolled up, the collar thrown back, 
and the skirts, when not held up, draggling in his rear. 
His head was partially covered with a fanciful cap, jaunt- 
ingly worn in a care-for-nothing style, which few could 
assume, adding much to his before attractive appearance. 
No one would suppose, in general conversation, unless 
otherwise informed, that he had ever been on board of a 
vessel, so correct was his language, and fertile his imagi- 
native sayings ; he seldom uttered a sea-phrase, unless 
circumstance or subject required it; and he was always 
ready with an argument upon any subject broached — 
proving himself an agreeable as well as highly instructive 
companion. 

Little Nap was the best card-player in the mess, his 
astonishing memory enabling him so to keep the 'run of 
the cards, as seldom to be beaten in the game. I have 
known him with a single penny, take his stand at the 
vingt et une table, watch for hours till the bet suited, put it 
on, win, hold on till the run of the cards again pleased him, 
when he would clap all down, and follow it up, doubling 
each time, till he had change enough for the week, when 
he w r ould desist, till again reduced to the last penny. So 
proverbial was his certainty of winning, that whenever he 
would take his stand by the table, a throng would gather 
around it, to bet only as he did, till the banker would 
become alarmed at the combination against him, and shut 
up for the day. Not unfrequently would Little Nap, 
when those watching his movements were sufficiently 
numerous for the sport, stand for hours at the board with- 
out speaking, enjoining silence, likewise, upon those 'who 
were to win,' lest the charm might be frustrated by their 
gabbling, and then carelessly say he did not like appear- 
ances, and would not bet. When his winnings would 
afford it, he would purchase a pot of beer, stronger than 



OUR MESS. 55 

that he never tasted while I knew him, invite one of the 
mess to join, and with his short pipe in his mouth, some- 
times with tobacco, but as often without, and thus set and 
chat, tell stones for hours upon a stretch, never flagging in 
his chatter for a moment, proving himself an inveterate 
talker, but never a bpre. 

From the time of my entrance, Little Nap was ever 
asking questions about Old Massachusetts, her people, her 
improvements, and her prospects ; he seemed to revive at 
the bare mention of the name ; and as he inquired into 
events, many of which had taken place long before my 
remembrance, his eyes would glisten with delight, saying 
they were as fresh is his mind as though of yesterday's 
transactions, notwithstanding he had been absent from the 
place of his nativity nearly twenty-two years. He would 
speak of his 'dear little brothers and sisters,' as though he 
should see them on his return, as he had left them in 
their childhood. This I often said, he could not rationally 
expect, as they now must be grown to manhood, and 
most likely they have become fathers and mothers. He 
admitted all ; yet shortly after he would unconsciously 
slide into 'the dear little fellows, how I long once more to 
see them, as when they would cluster about me for the 
first present from foreign parts, and I would toss something 
among them and laugh at their mad scramblings; how 
delightful will it be again to see them ; and Lottee, that 
dear little blue-eyed Lottee, she is my favourite, she shall 
have the best present, and one that's worth receiving, if I 
starve for a week to gain it.' 

He had often written, while in prison, to his parents ; 
but as it was not usual to receive answers to letters sent 
from thence, he easily persuaded himself they had o- ne 
safe, and that he was expected and anxiously looked for 
with open arms. His intentions were, never to go to sea 
again. T will work upon the farm (meaning his father's) 
and shall take delight in it, or I will hire as a common 
labourer; for never will I go to sea again, after once 



56 OUR MESS. 

reaching the States,' was always a saying of his; — 'how 
pleasant to roam over hills and woodlands I once knew — 
to rig ships for the boys, and gather flowers for the girls ; 
and after the day's work is completed, to have them 
cluster around me in the moonlit porch, while I am re- 
counting scenes for their curiosity and amusement, that I 
have passed through since last we parted.' 

Poor fellow, how cruel his lot, thus to be separated from 
a kindred on whom he doated, and kept in servitude till 
the prime of his life is past, then to be set upon the world 
again, to which he has been estranged, without a helping 
hand to cheer him on. And how little will his home ap- 
pear to him as his imagination depicts. So different will 
he find every thing from what he now expects, that he 
will tire before he has been thereat a day, and almost 
wish he had continued his enjoyments in imaginations, 
for now all, all must be changed. Methinks I can see 
the wayfarer reach the home of his birth, with all the 
high w T rought flushings of fancy, his long pent up imagin- 
ings have excited, where he finds none to welcome him — 
some are dead — many forgotten him — more have other 
and dearer objects to bestow their affections upon ; — or, 
perhaps, the home of his boyhood is in the hands of 
strangers, who cannot tell him where are his parents, his 
brothers or his sisters, when, with a heart-sickening des- 
pondency he turns aside, saying, 'forever have I been the 
child of fate — fate do your will,' and ends with a life of 
indifference, sloth, and indulgence — desperation finishing 
what years of hardships could not assail. 

This singularity of expecting to see relations as they 
were left, by those who have long been estranged from 
their homes, I have often noticed in others, though dis- 
played with less feelings than Little Nap exhibited ; but 
yet they would return in imagination to the homes of 
their childhood, and view scenes, persons and pleasures 
as they left them. I was acquainted with one man in 
prison, who had been forty years without having seen or 



OUR MESS. 57 

even heard of his relations ; yet he was ever fond of 
speaking of his play-mate brothers, sisters, and cousins, 
as though he was sometime to see them as he had left 
them. He said he knew that they like himself must be 
getting old, but it was the happiest hour of his life, while 
musing over scenes of by-gone days; for he loved to 
enjoy his play-mates in imaginations, the only way he 
could think of them, as innocent children. It is more 
than probable he never saw them, only as he loved to see 
them, in imagination. 

Little Nap used to say he never dodged but once in his 
life, and then to save it. During the hottest of the fight 
at the battle of Trafalgar, the gun at which he was sta- 
tioned became unmanageable, and for a spell he had 
nothing to do. So, to while away the time, he put his 
head through the port, to make good the gun that had 
been run out and discharged till of no farther use, and to 
see how matters and affairs were progressing in the neigh- 
bourhood. He had timed his lookings abroad so badly, 
that it happened to be just as the enemy's ship Redoubt- 
able had fallen nearly on board of the vessel Little Nap 
was in. The marines had all been drawn from the farther 
portion of the French ship, to that nearest the Victory, to 
give her a salute worthy the station she held in the line 
of battle, when he thrust his head and shoulders out as a 
mark for their muskets, which were already levelled. He 
had only time to give himself a whirl to the deck, a little 
at the side of the port, ere the balls came whistling 
through like hail, splintering the planks, and riddling 
every thing in the line, where he had chosen to place 
himself, to make his cool observations. He, when jeered 
about his dodging, would say, 'let those whose nerves are 
better than their shipmates, try the experiment; and if 
they like it, they can enjoy it, for they will find no oppo- 
sition in standing fire under such odds.' 

The third one of the mess had nothing peculiar to 
recommend him to the notice of the reader, except his 



58 OUR MESS. 

proportions, which were enormously great, although with- 
out his being fat. He was a Bostonian, where his parents 
resided at the time he was in prison. He likewise was 
an impressed seaman, and had been a shipmate of Little 
Nap, for seven years, both mutually attached to each 
other. This man used to boast, with much pride, that 
he had never put up elsewhere than at Boyden's, when 
in his native city, and scowled at the bare mentioning 
of 'sailor boarding-houses.' He was constantly speculating 
in his conversation, how heavy he would ride down upon 
that worthy caterer's eatables, when once again at liberty. 
'I will let my old friend Boyden see, the little excursion 
I have taken since last we met, has sharpened my appe- 
tite, and I can now bowse on double watches till he cries 
enough,' was a favourite saying of his. 

This man generally went by the appellation of 'Josh- 
the-Tiger,' from the circumstance of his extreme timidity, 
when assailed by spirits of the air or of the dead, which 
he strictly believed were always hovering about, and did 
not hesitate to say he had often seen them in propria 
personam On one occasion in particular, he said there 
was no mistake in his seeing a real spirit. I will give it 
in his own words. 

'The night before my impressment, a beautiful female, 
in white, with her hair flowing carelessly and in disorder 
about her shoulders, came into the fore cabin, and seated 
herself by the side of my berth. She said not a word, 
but kept weeping bitterly for the space of half an hour, 
when she passed up the companion ladder, wringing her 
hands in grief. I don't think I breathed during her stay 
below, for I was so frightened, I liked to have died. I 
went on deck in the morning — could neither work nor 
eat, and told the first mate something; serious would 
happen. Before eleven o'clock, myself and four others 
of the crew, were on board of a British frigate ; since 
when, I have never heard from my relations, nor ever 
put foot to land, till I was marched here to prison.' 



OUR MESS. 59 

I have known him to be afraid, after the prison was 
still at night, to leave his hammock, unless accompanied 
by a messmate ; and to speak disrespectfully of an 'old 
woman,' was the climax of blasphemy, in his estimation ; 
'for it will bring the worst of all luck upon those who har- 
bour an ill thought towards them.' He firmly believed 
there was a French recruiting sergeant, walking the 
prisons without his head, after others were still in their 
berths, and whomsoever he invited to enlist, or to whom 
he showed his book of enlistments, with his name in- 
scribed therein, the same would die ere a week should 
pass. He was not alone, however, in this belief, but 
had companions and acquaintances who would take their 
'Bible oath,' that they had seen the headless soldier 
shost go to such and such a hammock, (whose owner 
previously had died,) open his book, inscribe a name, 
and be off without noise, neither showing whence he 
came, nor whither he took his leave. 

These seers of ghosts gained not a few proselytes to 
their belief, by one of their number falling sick, and 
averring, during his lucid spells, that the sergeant had 
essayed to gain his consent to join his corps, but he had 
twice stoutly resisted him, not without serious misgivings, 
however, of the third and last trial, which would take 
place at twelve o'clock on a particular night. At that 
hour the man died, calling with frantic ravings upon his 
companions to keep off the sergeant without a head. 

Notwithstanding this man's timidity on this point, I 
have been told by those who have been by his side, 
when boarding, cutting-out, and in all the various risks 
of life a man-of-war's-man has to encounter, he was 
always foremost, and never showed the least fear, and 
that it was proverbial, he stood the bravest among the 
brave, in a desperate fight. At boat duty, cutting-out 
and boarding an enemy, he, as well as his shipmate, 
Little Nap, was always first in volunteering, and their 
numerous scars gave witness that their way often led 
them where danger was rife. 



GO OUR MESS. 

The fourth man of the lues's was an Irishman, who 
had been impressed into the British service, from on 
board an American vessel ; therefore he was a 'real, 
genuine American born' subject, in every thing except 
looks, brogue, disposition, gait, temperament, and tem- 
perance ; in all else, he was a 'republican to the heart,' 
as he oft said. He was never called otherwise than 
Irish Pat; and I very much doubt whether he did not 
think it his legitimate name, so long had he answered to 
it. I never knew that he had other than Irish, the 
given name, Pat, the patronymick. 

The fifth was Black Tom, so called from his dark co- 
loured skin, and unusually sombre and taciturn dispo- 
sition. He hailed from Baltimore, and had recently 
belonged to the United States' sloop-of-war Rattlesnake, 
previous to his coming to prison. As one of the prize 
crew, he was put on board of a vessel the Rattlesnake 
had taken, that was afterwards recaptured, when he with 
the rest of his shipmates, was sent to Dartmoor. 

Tom belonged to that class which has no expression 
of countenance, the skin covering the face not being 
flexible enough ever to alter the original gluing it had 
first received to the bones beneath. His eye was ever 
roving, till caught by the one confronting him, when it 
instantly dropped, remained dormant, till it could again 
roll in safety upon the surrounding crowd. He would 
sit for hours, with his elbows braced upon the table, 
resting his chin in the hollow of his hands, with the 
fingers covering his dark cheeks to the darker locks 
above, peering upon the passers by ; but he was never 
known to look any one in the face, only by stealth. To 
a stranger his odd ways were often mistaken for a sullen 
moroseness, but upon becoming accustomed to his tem- 
perament, he improved wonderfully ; for he was ever 
choosing quietness rather than strife, was known to wran- 
gle with none, harboured good will towards all, and, 
when apart from the throng, he was a social and agreeable 



OUR MESS. 01 

companion, conclusively proving, that, to the effects of 
his prison confinement, rather than to his natural disposi- 
tion, was to he attributed his seeming sombreness at our 
mess table amusements. Black Tom was our singer. 

The sixth has been already too often before the reader ; 
and as he is likely to be again thrust forward, we will 
merely say, he too came honestly by a name, besides his 
own ; for having: once or twice in the course of conver- 
sation, happened to refer to 'the office,' he was at once 
dubbed 'the Professor,' in derision, and had to answer 
to it ever afterwards. There was scarcely a man in 
prison, who had not a name pinned upon him, other than 
his own, or he was called by his first, when short and 
easily spoken. 

I believe I have before observed, the building on each 
floor was divided by two alleys passing their whole 
lengths, with upright stanchions about twenty inches 
apart. From these stanchions to the wall was ten or 
twelve feet, and each mess of six persons was allowed 
the space of three stanchions. When the messes so 
agreed, two or more joined, and screened off the portion 
of the space alloted them, as did ours — thus having a 
double mess at the same table. The few preliminary 
remarks must be a sufficient excuse for introducing a part 
of the members to the reader, who were not strictly 
belonging to ours, but yet were always with us. 

There was 'Well-bred Jim,' from the circumstance of 
his always saying, 'a man can easily be told how his 
breeding has been, by the cut of his jib.' This man was 
English born and bred, had been early impressed and 
taken on board of a man-of-war, escaped while in the 
West Indies, shipped in an American vessel, was again 
pressed into the British service, served 'with a halter 
around his neck,' till the war broke out, when he ma- 
naged to get upon the list with others who were American 
subjects, and came to prison, without the officers under 
whom he had served ever knowing he had before been in 
6 v.2 



62 OUR MESS. 

the service. His relations resided within a dozen miles 
of Dartmoor, yet they knew not that he was there, and 
he took especial care they should not be informed of his 
whereabouts. Undoubtedly once he had been a hand- 
some man ; but now ! — I fear to begin, as I shall not do 
him justice. Buonaparte has said, he should always 
choose a man with a big nose, if he wished to be ably 
served. Had Well-bred Jim been in front of a column at 
one of the emperor's reviews, his fortune would not only 
have been made, but the emperor would have been saved 
from his downfall, if there be virtue in being well served 
by one with a big nose. 

This nose was of the class that sparkles in all weathers, 
and contained every variety of shade imaginable. It 
had been for thirty years drawing its red colouring mat- 
ter from the carbuncled face of its owner, till it had appa- 
rently burst with its variegated warts, resembling much 
the over-ripe balsam-apple in its pickled state, and varied 
in hue by the difference of position it was viewed — the 
red and purple predominating. The mouth (when the 
owner was surly or in a musing mood) was not to be 
outdone, by the flushings of the nose, and pouched out 
with a rose expanding exuberance, like the tie of a 
miller's full bag of grain ; the lips striving in very scorn 
to show their dislike to the confinement, which the suc- 
tion of the cheeks produced, by their long exercise of 
taking the stolen draught from the wooden noggin, used 
for the smuggling purpose, when grog was not permitted 
on board in quantities sufficient for the health or good 
feelings of Well-bred Jim. But if he was in a laughing 
mood, as always he was when in his cups, the whole 
features changed, nose excepted, showing the remains of 
a once handsome man. 

The dress of this man was such as farther to help off 
with the figure head. On receiving his 'served out suit,' 
he got a miss-fit — traded several times, getting at each 
swap one worse than the former, until he had a suit, that 



OUR MESS. 63 

offered no farther inducements to future trade, not even to 
the most worthless Rough Alley in prison, when he was 
forced to put them upon his own frame. The trousers 
were ample enough in breadtli below the knees, the short 
distance they reached, but were more than tight above, 
till they became so cramped about the swell, that they 
were forced to stop short full eight inches, before they 
gained the height originally intended. The jacket was 
equally scanty, and in the frequent endeavours of the 
wearer, to pull the sleeves to the neighbourhood of the 
wrists, it had taken its perch upon the shoulders, disdain- 
ing to hide the deficiency of the trousers ; and while it 
was daily rising in the world, the former were getting 
lower and lower in the estimation of the hips, leaving a 
miniature Sahara desert between the two, as uncom- 
fortable to the owner as it was ludicrous to the beholder. 
He had for pastime stitched his cap with fancy coloured 
ravellings, and covered its entire surface with a plush of 
a couple of inches in length, giving its wearer a rather 
top-heavy appearance. When in full dress, as above 
described, he would study his attitude, never carrying his 
hands awkwardly, saying, were he commander of a ship, 
he would bring every man to punishment, who was seen 
with them in his pockets — a sin he was never guilty of 
while in prison, for the want of pockets to stow them. 
Notwithstanding his laughable appearance, one could 
always see something about the man, that told of former 
gentility. 

Our next in rotation was Six-penny Bob, so named from 
his ever saying, 'it was little to hint of lesser coin.' So 
tenacious was he in this respect, that when pricing an 
article of the value of two-pence, he would instantly stop 
the speaker with, 'a third of a six-pence, you mean,' or a 
sixth, a twelfth, or whatever it might be, never allowing 
any in his presence to use other than the fractional parts 
of a six-pence. Six-penny Bob was ready at all times to 
defend his opinions either by argument or blows. With 



64 OUR MESS. 

the exception of his being the greatest borrower and worst 
paymaster, he stood among the cyphers in the mess. 

The next we have to bring forward is Capstan Jack, 
so called from stolidity of temperament and immobility 
of person, being rigidity personified. He was of short, 
stubby frame, iron hardness, and granite throughout. In 
early life, the nose of this man had taken a freak to grow 
as other noses had grown before, but the surrounding 
features soon after detected its intention of aping huma- 
nity, set about controverting this unhallowed propensity of 
'quitting family to turn Turk,' and withheld all aid to its 
comely development. In the many strifes that followed, 
they so far succeeded as to hold back the tip, while the 
lower part went journeying on to its first destination, never 
doubting till too late, but that the end was where it should 
be, instead of being in the middle. 

The eyes at first frowned indignation at this upturned 
barrier between them, and flashing with anger, denounced 
all companionship with it ; but as they could not exchange 
soft glances without crossing the hammock, they gradually 
became reconciled to its company, till at last they were so 
fascinated with its beauties, as never to let it be out of 
their sight ; and made a compact agreement with each 
other, to stand watch and watch, that their coyish beau 
should not be led astray by the many soft glances thrown 
out for its lure, by other eyes than theirs, which were 
ever leering towards them, both mutually wishing it to 
be kept straight in the path of rectitude. This watch 
and watch worked well for a time, till these ever-jealous 
orbs became over-jealous of each other, at some shy 
ogling carried on by the one off duty, when the compact 
was cut short in a pet, and both resolved to do their own 
watching ; and so extremely fearful were they of their 
favourite playing them falsely, that neither ever after 
looked elsewhere for pleasure or amusement, but hour 
after hour, nay, day after day, could they be seen with 
set determination of looking nothing else in the face. I 



OUR MESS. G5 

trust I have been sufficiently explicit to acquaint the 
reader, that Capstan Jack was cross-eyed. 

The mouth too had taken a fancy that it would be all 
the more amiable, by opening with a circular expansion, 
instead of the every-day way of others ; and so well 
pleased was it at the expertness it had gained by long 
practice, that it was never at rest (Hibernicism) but when 
enlarging and lessening the circle, by an apparent puck- 
ering string reeved inside. The opening always displayed 
a good set of teeth firmly and rigidly locked together, cor- 
responding with the other parts of this fellow. Some 
of the mess used to say the lips were making mouths at 
the upturned nose ; but sayings in derision are never 
authority. Be there ever so much enmity existing be- 
tween the one and the other, no sympathy nor partiality 
was manifested by the by-standers or adjoining features 
for either party, they being well matched and able to de- 
fend themselves in their hard combats of grimace. Often, 
however, was the nose supposed to be backing out of the 
fray, whilst as often did the mouth exhibit symptoms of a 
drawn game. 

This man had but few words, and these were forced out 
between the teeth, as though he begrudged the parting 
with them. He would set bolt upright, without moving 
head or body, nor speaking to any for hours together ; but 
whether he was looking at the man frying onions to the 
left, the one directly in his front, with a pair of worked 
moccasins for sale, or at the buttons upon his own waist- 
coat, it would defy all the magicians in Christendom to 
say, always supposing they based their judgment on the 
direction his eyes were pointing. 

The last, though far from least, whom I shall introduce 
to the reader's attention, is 'Chaw-tobacco Joe.' A better 
hearted soul never lived — always in good humour, con- 
tented, obliging and kind. This fine fellow received his 
worthy appellation, from the manner he carried his quid, 
which was directly under his tongue. In so enormously 
6* v. 2 



66 OUR MESS. 

large quantities did he lay in the weed, as to occupy all 
the space originally appropriated for that very necessary 
member, in the multiplicity of its duties. However, with 
this man there was one from which it was entirely exone- 
rated, that of talking; which I shall show as we progress 
with the other amiabilities of this last of our auxiliary 
mess. 

The nose, excuse the lack of varieties of my personali- 
ties, as history is my theme ; and however this sameness 
may appear uninteresting, I very much doubt whether 
any of my readers, be they ever so fastidious in this 
matter, would willingly part with this necessary member, 
to complete the group of the features, even should theirs 
vie in colouring and bulk with that belonging to Well- 
bred Jim. As I was saying, the nose of this man was 
of the peering kind, which seems to insinuate itself into 
one's good graces, whether willingly received or not. 
This long, straight-pointed feature had its lurking excuses 
for its length, deeply embedded at its connection with the 
face, in the flexibility of its movements, and the humour 
it concealed under its rough exterior. The mouth told 
nothing but laughter, by the sly workings of its corners, 
and curious puckerings in which it was always indulging, 
even when nothing apparent offered to set it in motion. 

This man stuttered so badly, that he seldom attempted 
to speak — talking was entirely beyond his ambition ; and 
when he did speak, to a casual observer, he appeared not 
to stutter at all ; for if he wished to say a word (beyond 
that he never attempted,) he would begin internally to 
twitch and start, the spasm gradually gaining the outlet, 
by its cut-and-thrust workings, with throes sufficient to 
eject a dozen political oaths, battened down with as many 
promises to 'look to poor relations.' These inward work- 
ings were continued sometimes longer sometimes shorter, 
accordingly as the stutterer was in a hurry, or had leisure ; 
if the latter, he had no great difficulty in throwing off 
what he wished to say. in five minutes, more or less ; but 



OUR MESS. G7 

when hurried, he seldom could relieve himself of his 
burthen in double that time, so great was his anxiety to 
say his say and be done with it. At the moment he was 
to be relieved of his inward contortion, his chin was 
thrust forward with a spasmodic motion, displaying the 
well-bedded quid that gave rise to his name at the chris- 
tening, when out would slip the word, that was the cause 
of the aforesaid hard delivery, with the force and fury of 
pent up steam from a high pressure boiler ; always accom- 
panied with a soul-cheering laugh, (he could laugh with- 
out the premonitories) being the first to show sport at his 
infirmity of speech. Not a sound would he utter while 
in his throes, and to a stranger, he appeared to be in an 
agonizing inward spasm. He was likewise extremely 
nervous, easily excited, seldom in anger, but ever in good 
spirits. To his other acquirements he was as nimble as 
a cat, and the best amateur boxer we had amongst us. 

Yet there is one other I cannot pass over in silence. 
'Double-me-up' (from his stooping posture) left his home 
in North Carolina, for the first time in his life, at the 
age of eighteen, because his widowed mother would not 
allow him to marry a female of lost reputation. He went 
to New York, became reduced, and in a fit of anger 
took a trip to sea, was captured, sent to prison, where he 
had remained two years and a half. Till going abroad 
he had never been used to labour or employment of any 
kind. He was well educated, and, as he said, 'should 
be possessed of much property when of age.' The hard- 
ships he encountered were too severe for his strength of 
frame, which was delicately slender and femininely weak, 
apparently adding twenty-five years to his former age, 
' and nearly doubling him up. His tale was generally 
believed, and if false, he possessed a faculty of conceal- 
ing his deceit beyond the scrutiny of others ; besides, he 
must have had an excellent memory, for the tale of his 
sufferings never varied, nor was he ever known to speak 
of his home, but with tears in his eyes. Poor fellow. I 



GS MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

shall have occasion hereafter to notice him, but with less 
merriment than °rief. 

The other members of our auxiliary mess were but 
common-place, and I must crave pardon for not bring- 
ing them forward, on the ground, that I have already 
said more of ourselves, than has been said of all other 
individuals in prison. 



CHAP. IV. 

MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

Our mess place being a 'wall berth,' gave us the advan- 
tage of a window, directly against the table at which we 
sat, not only at our meals, but also at our employments 
and our amusements. This window had been glazed by 
the mess, long before I became one of its members, a 
luxury but few enjoyed, as glass was higher than came 
within the compass of most of their purses. The greater 
part of the inmates used oiled paper, while some few let 
the light in by a hole through the shutters, or by throwing 
it open ; either way extremely unpleasant during the con- 
stant fogs, with which the region was enveloped for more 
than half the year. 

When seated at our social board, each with his dailv 
allowance before him, nicely weighed in scales we had 
for the purpose, to be afterwards taken by lot, one might 
suppose we were the happiest set in Christendom, by the 
jollity of our proceedings ; and not without reason, for at 
times we were so in reality. 

It wanted but a little stretch of imagination, to convert 
our barley soup into the best of turtle ; our tough beef 
to the tenderest surloin, or the delicate bosom of wild 
fowl ; the coarse brown bread, into the black plum-cake 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 69 

for the desert; and our well burnished tin cups of water, to 
the silver goblets, of not greater lustre, brimming with 
wine. Had the imagination been realized, the dainties 
would not have met with a readier reception, the wine 
excepted, than did the homely fare before us ; for we 
possessed what high livers would give half the contents 
of their groaning tables, to have — good appetites. Our 
rations were never so abundant, as to cloy, or to make 
us at all fastidious in our feastings ; nor were we ever 
accused of prodigality, in permitting too much to go into 
the kitchen from the parlour tables. We were over sel- 
fish in the matter of enjoying what we had, without shar- 
ing with friends ; and our mess was notorious among the 
beggars, of keeping for supper, what was theirs by right 
of long usage, from the dinner table. 

As we were seldom pressed for time, though often by 
hunger, we used to set hours, joking, laughing, singing 
and quizzing each other — none letting an opportunity pass 
when he could turn the joke upon any, who in like good- 
fellowship, was anxious to pin it to his neighbour, and he 
again to keep it going, till either Chaw-tobacco Joe or 
Capstan Jack had to retain it; for the reason that the 
former could not talk, and the latter would not. Often, 
however, for the sake of variety, Well-bred Jim and 
Double-me-up came in for a good share of the mess' 
badinage ; but generally the two first mentioned were 
the butts of the circle. 

If Capstan Jack wanted the salt, bread or any thing 
else handed to him, all hands were eager to assist, each 
supposing it was himself to whom he was directing his 
commands, while none at the table could tell by the direc- 
tion of the speaker's eyes whom he addressed. This was 
one reason he so seldom spoke at our convivial soirees. 
None could blame him for his silence. 

When Chaw-tobacco Joe wished any thing he could 
not reach, no sooner did he attempt to speak, than each 
one, to save him the trouble, pushed towards his plate all 



70 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

within his reach, which generally brought on the premo- 
nitories; and by the time he had worked himself into 
speaking order, all the dishes of the mess were piled in 
his front, chin high, when he would alter his first inten- 
tions of asking for what he wanted, and with the last 
symptom, thrust his chin out to its desired distance, and 
ejaculate 'belay all.' A favourite word of his, and one 
he could give out to perfection. With these displays of 
gratitude at his eloquence, I am safe in saying he seldom 
spoke, and then only upon the greatest emergency. 

In the anxiety of the mess to be foremost in their readi- 
ness to help Capstan Jack, a contest would arise, who it 
was he was looking at; a knotty subject to determine in 
all its sidlings and crossings. 

' 'Twas me he asked,' said Josh, who sat opposite, 'and 
I will thank you not to interfere when I again offer to help 
one I so much respect.' 

'You are as far out of your reckoning,' returned Six- 
penny Bob, 'as when you so plentifully helped yourself, 
but now, from my allowance, without receipting for the 
same. 'Let every one feed from his own crib,' is a good 
saying. The side glance was intended to arouse me from 
my musings over the last remains of this crust, and I felt 
it all the more blistering, by its having come athwart the 
red-hot nose of Well-bred Jim, in its passage hither.' 

'A man,' quickly returned Jim, 'who has the least pre- 
tensions to gentility, will never deal in personalities in 
social society. A man is — ' 

'Never the worse for carrying a good cut-water,' put in 
Little Nap ; 'but where the bulk of the carcass is, there 
will the crows first alight.' 

A fierce hissing current of air proceeded from the 
close-shut teeth of Capstan Jack, which was construed 
into a laugh by those who were used to the fellow's 
oddities. But whether he supposed the joke had found 
a foot-hold other than his cross-eyes afforded, did not ap- 
pear; if so, he was too early in his self-congratulation; 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 71 

for the joke found its resting place too hot to remain 
long, and bounced off to the last speaker. 

'Had you died upon your island of safety, as die you 
ought, for having left the ship without permission, the 
crows would have had but a mawkish bulk of carrion 
to gloat over.' 

'It is doubtful in my mind,' slipped in Six-penny Bob, 
'if he hadn't proved a scarecrow, instead of crow fare, 
unless he cut a better figure then, than he now does.' 
'It's my belief,' said Irish Pat, 'that he would have 
been glad to have had a pair of these self-same crows to 
pick, and stow away in his own bread-room, instead of 
the ox he made of himself by the grass he ate.' 

'Hurra, Pat ! my darling, ye must have taken a second 
pull at your panniken of cauld wather, or ye neiver 
could make that spaich at one tack,' came from Little 
Nap, who was ever rigging poor Pat for his 'murthering 
Irish, while he was all the while so good a republican, 
born in the States.' 

'Or, the cannibal he turned whilst eating his animal 
food in a raw state,' continued Jim, paying no regard to 
Nap's raillery. 

'No,' said Josh, 'he fed like a christian, first upon meat 
and vegetables, and then he topped off with nothing — ■ 
'But the whizzing of a bullet, as I rose to return thanks 
for my sumptuous meal,' quickly put in Nap. 

'The fellow for his poor aim, should be triced up, for 
not doing the job he intended,' again returned Pat. 

•Hold on all!' sung out Six-penny Bob, with authori- 
tative command, 'Chaw-tobacco Joe is under weigh, and 
will soon give us a broadside.' 

But the caution came too soon for those who wished 
to see the explosion, as it had the effect to quell the 
symptoms before they had reached that point at which 
there was no stopping them. The mess were disap- 
pointed. 

'Before you again sing out 'stand from under/ learn 



72 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

to put a stopper upon your tongue, or time your cautions 
better, and not spoil sport for a dozen.' 

'Yes, stopper all ; for shiver my lights if you keep on 
at'this»rig, you will have to choose sides and fight it out,' 
said Black Tom, who was at his favourite position, resting 
his chin in his hands, peering about upon the mess, as 
slily as a fox from his snug covert of safety, watching 
when he can venture out without danger. 

'If sides are to be chosen,' said Josh, 'I will range 
up under the quarter of Capstan Jack, and fight it out 
on his, for I never can stand a cross fire.' 

'You are in as much danger there as elsewhere ; for 
he takes a wide sweep with his blinkers. The only 
safety I see is to keep directly in his front.' 

'Your similes,' said the Doctor, 'put me in mind of the 
torpedo, which scatters in every direction.' 

'Yet, rejoined Double-me-up, 'it explodes and is done, 
but these cross fires are continued.' 

'Continued, if I know any thing of the dictionary,' 
said Little Nap, 'means extended in length, drawn out ; 
now who says Capstan Jack's looks are not like a pot 
of scupper nails, well shook up; will ye bet?' 

'Hand over the hat!' said Well-bred Jim, 'let's make 
a collection for the wisdom of the comparison.' 

'And keep what you collect, if it's only a base far- 
thing,' quickly returned Nap. 

'If the hat be taken from his own head, he will have 
the honor of making the first and largest donation, with- 
out losing much by his generosity,' replied Bob. 

'Yet,' said Josh, 'I'm thinking he will find them re- 
turned to him, like the bad penny, for they will stick 
nowhere else, notwithstanding the beauty of the donor.' 

'Josh !' said Jim, in a high tone. 

'Jim ?' 

'If you were'nt so good natured, we should quarrel.' 

'Better quarrel than fight, when you always come off 
second best.' 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 73 

Tt's not so; and I most respectfully solicit the privi- 
lege of telling you, you are a d — ' 

'Good sort of a fellow, for not noticing you when in 
your tantrums.' 

1 Well, you know very well, the last time we fell out, 
I accidentally hit you a wiper,' 

'And did'nt speak for an hour, nor know which end 
you stood on for a day; besides showing your friends 
how to carry a head upon a crooked neck to the best 
advantage.' 

'Yet it came straight with — ' 

'A lick on the other side, from a sample of the same 
fist, that did the first danger.' 

'Blast my eyes, but — ' 

'Amen to that; and when you're at your prayers, 
ask for a better temper, and learn to put up with jokes, 
or not offer them.' 

'Come, come,' said Black Tom, 'you're hinting too 
strong, and it will lead to strife. It's quite time we 
change the subject.' 

This was meant for some one to invite him to sing, 
which he always stood willing to do, but would never 
volunteer. Black Tom had one song to which he was 
ever partial, and he would sing none other, till that was 
gone through once at least. This, by oft repetition had 
become quite a bore, and latterly he had to hint strongly, 
that it would be agreeable to him, if any of the members 
would keep in remembrance, that he stood head-singer to 
the mess. If no one asked him to favour the circle with 
a display of his vocal talents, Tom took it in hio-h 
dudgeon, and sulked till the morrow's dinner was over, 
when he would soften a little, become partially talkative, 
as to-day. If he was again slighted, the more sullen 
would he be for the next twenty-four hours, when his 
loquacity returned in the same ratio, that his sourness had 
been displayed. This was continued till he was invited 
to sing, when the usually sparkling black eyes would 
7 v.2 



74 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

twinkle with renewed delight, it being the only evidence 
that Tom was pleased. 

This one favourite song of our friend, he could roll out 
with as much spirit as noise, yet, it must be at his own 
time and convenience. He always varied the cadence, 
swells, holds, etc. to his liking, or his singing would cease; 
for in this respect he was over-jealous of his rights, and 
would suffer none to interfere with his undeniable, legiti- 
mate prerogative. The theme of this song was of a buc- 
caneer character, which gave rise to the opinion in the 
mess, that Black Tom in some portion of his sailings, had 
cruised under a flag of the hue his skin pertained to. On 
this subject he was silent, as in aught else concerning his 
former career. None doubted but he supposed himself 
one of the heroes in the scenes his song pictured, although 
the commencement told a date long antecedent to his 
birth. But this was in consequence of his singing it so 
often, as finally to believe it true ; and the impression was 
so indelibly fixed upon his mind, that he was an actor at 
the period, and a partaker of the incidents narrated in the 
ballad, that no reasoning could have made it otherwise, 
and to do which, would be an unkindly act indeed. 
There are wiser heads than the one on Black Tom's 
shoulders, who are beguiled into the belief, that what they 
say at first for amusement or information, is made fact by 
oft repetition, till they are willing to be sworn all is true. 
The greatest objection to this song was its length, and so 
tenacious was he of his rights, that he would sing the 
song, the whole song, and nothing but the song. The 
original has thirty-five verses ; these, together with the 
chorus at the end of each, and, when the choristers had 
become warm with the subject, a repeat of full one-third 
of the whole was the consequence, made altogether a 
tolerable song, as regards length. 

By the examination of the log, I find but four verses at 
all legible, and they are not in course, being the first, 
fifth, twenty-first and twenty-ninth — enough in all con- 
science to show its meaning. The mess always joined 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 75 

with the chorus, even to Capstan Jack and Double-me- 
up, who readily lent a hand that it should not falter ; the 
former, only helping as the drone to the bagpipe — keeping 
up a constant, uniform buz, through his close-shut teeth, 
never stopping, or rarely, between the verses, could add 
but little in a musical sense. The latter varied his 
notes, but was always in a different key from what was 
intended — first low, then high, now sharp, again flat, end- 
ing with a screech, resounding throughout the prisons. 
Black Tom was never annoyed by these, however, but 
kept steadily along to the end as it best suited himself, 
letting the others follow or go-ahead, as most agreeable to 
their wishes. 

But there was one, who disturbed his equanimity of 
temper, and with reason, although for the most part the 
fault lay with Tom. Chaw-tobacco Joe, ever anxious to 
aid in all our amusements, by long practice, could tell 
exactly when to set his speaking powers in motion, which 
was necessarily long before Tom came to the chorus. Joe 
could time his premonitories so exactly, as to come in with 
the others, at the first word of the chorus, with a force 
proportionate to his excitability, and the time he had been 
working it up to point-blank range, it always having a 
fine effect. But as Tom was eccentric, he would pause a 
little too long on some of the emphasized notes, or hurry 
his time, if excited by the ardour of the subject, both 
equally fatal to the harmony of the whole ; and when 
Chaw-tobacco Joe was on the go-ahead principle, or 
once wound up, and his machinery in motion, all the 
pauses in creation could not stop him — in he would come 
with his explosive 'Crack,' while the others were ahead or 
astern of him — thus disconcerting the whole, greatly to 
the chagrin of Black Tom, as he would have to stop till 
the others had their laugh out, or go on unheard, which 
he was not likely to do. My only excuse for adding the 
song's legitimate notes, is to prevent unhallowed hands 
from hereafter setting these classical lines to music, and 
rob Tom of his ins* inheritance. 



76 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 



BLACK TOM'S OWN. 




With Spirit. 






ffi£ 






In the year fifty-four, with a full topsail breeze, We were 



S5IIH 



]5~i»»r 



SZ5 



m 



I 1 9. 

JE ** 



i r 



"5 i n i" 

— I — 9JL 



box - ing a - bout in dark Bis - cay's rough seas, When we 




U_K 



^s: 



Wu 



'0~0 



saw on our lee bow, a long, low, dark brig, Which at 



&-*-*— -^—P- —w—— 



i i 



f-*=l^ 



once was pronounc'd of a pic - ca - roon rig; And had 




not on - ly wealth, but had one far more dear To our 



£*=* 




0-0-0- 

■-> — 



E 



-^— *- 



Fj^-y-y^^P 



captain, God bless him, who sang out with good cheer, 'Give 



Ores. 



i „ . ^ ^ i _ r » i r r • • * 



•— #- 



V* E T u 

me but the beauty, take the rest to your share : A- 




loft lay, ye jol - lies, the brave ne'er despair.' 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 



77 



-it. CHORIS 


f *•« '^ar- 


i 


mj ^r r f *=# f 


-i — w~9 — rP 


-J— #-# 


\V I ^ ' ^ 


&< 


— > > 


^f V" 







Crack sail on all, Blow high, blow low; Let one and 




M T.ih. ft/j& 

all, Sing yo - heave - yo ; Sing yo - heave - yo. 

On board of this brig, was the captain's first love, 
Whose hard-hearted parents her tears could not move ; 
For this beautiful maid was intended to pillow 
Her head by the side of an old Spanish fellow, 
Who had dollars more plenty than sense or good learning, 
When we fell in his wake this bright July morning; 
And our skipper roar'd out, 'this dark old freebooter 
Shall ne'er have the maid, to whom once I'm been suitor.' 

Crack sail on all, &c. 

We fired not a shot at this bold buccaneer, 
On their own native planks, hand to hand without fear, 
Did we fiercely contest for the deck of their craft, 
Which we swept in a trice, to a man, fore and aft. 
O the joys of this maid were but equall'd by those 
Of our captain, her lover, who'd conquered her foes, 
When he gave out the word, with a heart-cheering grace— 
'All hands now stand ready, to splice the main-brace.' 

Crack sail on all, &c. 

Each and all of the crew shared the prize he had won, 
Chiming in with the dance and the glee, and the song ; 
Toasting long happy life to that beauteous prize, 
Whom our captain had gain'd— and whose laughing blue eyes, 
Told a tale of delight, I shall never forget, 
Till I'm called aloft, the last judgment to meet, 
As her white lilly hand softly laid on my arm, 
Gently saying, 'dear Tom, shield your captain from harm.' 

Crack sail on all, &c. 

I hope I have given enough of Black Tom's song to 
satisfy the reader, without going into all the minutia of 
7* v.2 



78 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

the chase, fight and after arrangement — how the nice 
tackings and windings of the one vessel were outgene- 
raled by the prompt and superior manoeuvres of the 
other — the many fine qualities of Tom's brig over his 
opponent's — what a scampering the Dons made when 
boarded — how offish they were at 'walking the plank' 
after the engagement — that glowing look of the captain 
when the crew gave 'three cheers for the blue-eyed 
beauty' — the manner of his sharing his wealth with the 
men when leaving the brig and the service — what a 
happy shore-life he and his lady ever lived after — and not 
among the least particulars, how Black Tom once paid 
them a visit, and dandled the little ones upon his own 
knee, who were so exactly like 

'The black piercing eye, of their father, so neat — 
The cherry red lip of their mother so sweet.' 

This song had a singular effect, not only upon the mess, 
but upon the surrounding crowd, who were gathering 
from the first verse to the last, each joining in the chorus, 
with a willingness and cheer, as his feelings were actuated 
towards love and heroism. Black Tom was allowed by 
long usage, to sing each verse without interference, but 
the chorus was common property, as much belonging to 
the low guttural voice of Well-bred Jim, as it did to the 
unvaried buz and hissings of Capstan Jack. All joined in 
at times to the number of an hundred, each in his own 
voice and key, cracking on with a man-of-war stroke, 
which had a most cracking effect on those of musical taste. 

There was an interloper who occasionally brought his 
grub to eat at our mess table, a mutual friend of Black 
Tom, whom I must not pass over, if for no other reason, 
than his partiality for the company of his quondam friend. 
This fellow was of an extremely mercurial temperament, 
ever changing from place to place, irritable and laughing 
at each movement — ever threatening, never dangerous, 
and taken as a whole, a well meaning soul was 'Flash-in- 
th'-pan.' He was seldom absent at Black Tom's singing; 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 79 

for his excitable ear was always on the alert, and if he 
was at any of the prisons in the separate yards from ours, 
the second verse would bring him to the mess table, danc- 
ing as though he was hung upon springs of some newly 
discovered elastic powers, ready, nay, swearing, he would 
fight for the lady in the song against all competitors, come 
they from where they might, ranging up by the side of his 
friend the singer, in readiness to do the danger to any who 
dared say, 'she was not the finest model and handsomest 
craft in the world's wide range.' 

But, above all others, did that son of Momus, Chaw- 
tobacco Joe, enter into the spirit of the song. For the lack 
of his speech, he more than made up by his hieroglyphical 
manner of expressing his feelings, and by his action alone, 
he could work out the sense of each verse, as the song 
progressed, to the well understanding of the deafest man 
in the universe. This was done, not for the sport of 
others, but because he could not help it, his nervous tem- 
perament ever having the entire command of his person, 
and often lead him into odd predicaments. 

At the command to lay aloft, he would go through the 
motions with as much alacrity as though still on board 
of the vessel in which he served his apprenticeship, 
climbing the ratlines hand over hand, his feet fetching 
up with a dog-trot, displaying a nimbleness of joint to 
the envy of all who wished to pass as expert topmen. 
At each time of tacking or putting about, after attending 
to the braces, his arms were squared at right-angles 
with the body, handsomely heading round, till he filled 
away, careening over naturally with the wind, till he 
was disturbed by the call to quarters, when he was ready 
with his sponge and rammer, to drive well home the 
charge, that the enemy should feel his manner of loading. 

When piped to 'splice the main brace,' he was in- 
stantly jerked into a stiffened attitude, the mouth was 
quickly undergoing a right and left wipe from the back 
of each hand, telling how well he relished the 'insinua- 



80 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

tion;' and the sly workings of the tip of the tongue, 
alternately showing itself at each corner, either proved 
that it was uneasy at the restraint of being kept in wait- 
ing, or that it was desirous of navigating in less water 

O 7 DO 

than was its daily wont. 

Again, at the first threatenings of danger, he was in 
his best pugilistic attitude, ready W'ith a tiger spring to be 
upon the enemy, the moment an advantage could be 
gained. Now, as a love passage was singing, he is melt- 
ing under the soft influence of his feelings, which are 
getting the better of him, till he is locking the lovely 
form of his fair one in his encircling arms, and bestow- 
ing a buss upon the ruby — nose of Well-bred Jim, which 
suddenly brought him to his senses and to his speech ; 
for the instant he felt the scorch, he jerked back, audibly 
ejaculating 'the devil!' without the premonitories usual 
to his sayings. 

It was generally supposed by the mess on this occa- 
sion, that the Prince of Darkness had assisted the stut- 
terer in the easy delivery of his name, claiming it as an 
invitation to join in the frivolities at the board, creating no 
little alarm among the timid, who looked for his presence 
immediately after the ejaculation. However, this was 
only conjecture, which made no impression on the nerves 
of Chaw-tobacco Joe, who soon forgot his late mishap, 
in the exciting business before him, which was waxing 
warmer and warmer, as it was progressing towards con- 
clusion, till he could stand it no longer, and at the word, 
'boarders, away !' with one leap he was in the centre of 
the mess table, forcing out with the explosive strength of a 
six-pounder, as he lit upon its top, 'go it!' This Flash- 
in-th'-pan construed into a defiance of one of his threats 
just let off, and, being ever ready to back them, he was in 
his front upon the table at a jump, and both were pitching 
into each other, before the by-standers could interfere to 
prevent them. For this indecorum Flash-in-th'-pan was 
sentenced, after a regular jury trial that consumed most 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 81 

of the following day, to stand still for the space of five 
minutes ; whilst Chaw-tobacco Joe had to kiss the nose, 
which he so lately mistook for his lady-love's warm lips. 
The latter suffered the penalty without a word, but the 
former could not stand his, the severity being too great 
for his nerves. This his judges saw, and humanely 
remitted two-thirds of the sentence, upon the culprit 
promising to offend so no more. 

After getting though with his 'Own,' Black Tom was 
in readiness to branch off into his minor productions, as 
they were called up by the party at the mess table. The 
following was a general favourite with the circle, not for 
its intrinsic worth, nor from any superior grace the singer 
could add to it, but mostly from the acting comicalities of 
Chaw-tobacco Joe, who not only entered into the mean- 
ing of each word and sentence, but showed every tanta- 
lizing look, sneering haughtiness, and scornful scowl of 
the coquette throughout the different stages of her career, 
better than many professional singers could have done it. 
If any of my readers say, there is no merit in either the 
verse or notes, let them pause before making their final 
decision, as they have not its principal adjunct to its 
excellence, Chaw-tobacco Joe. The singer never openly 
claimed any identity with this, as with the other song; 
and if he had done so, his slouching treble-patched-jacket, 
ducks without waistband, toggled together with spun- 
yarn, which mutinied at any duty above the hip-joints — 
his low-crowned veteran tarpaulin, together with a skin 
crusted with tan, cheeks hollowed with a pinching diet, 
and a visage soured with his imprisonment, gave a flat 
contradiction to any such connection, without farther 
inquiry as to his former cruisings. Supposing like his 
'Own,' Black Tom's 'Coquette' has out-lived her day, and 
that nothing is extant whereby she can be recognized by 
the present generation, I have made bold to add the 
notes without giving credit for the same. 



82 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 



THE COQUETTE. 




LIVELY. 



J r~ g-r- -*— g— • — »h 





At sixteen, beaux 


were gay and plenty 


A1I were handsome, 




h * F* 


* 


^ s »f-^ 




1 • m 


H SL » *- 






h.m 1 * • 


* f~ r (— 


« 1 * ' 






7 * P 


m v ^ w 


# * * 





most were wealthy ; Smiling, smirking, lisping, pleasing, 

f 




•tfd LiA. 






I 



I 



I 



iczsizbum: 



Bowing with their anxious teasing; This one's will - ing, 
_1 L \ _L_ L f I f I T T f 




'9 — 9 — 9 — 9' 
That one's billing, Oh! how killing. You can't please me, 



n ' f ? ? 


T T f f 






VJ 




*4_ 




JTl 




1 # # 9 




GJj fc c* & fc 


_> * ^ * 


J • 1 r 






riii 


" # * y. W 




V # # # # J 


9 9 9 9 


* ^ 





You shan't please me, Oh, don't tease me, With your fad - die 









t.^: 



£ 



E 



dad - die talking, I'm engaged, so pray be walking. 

At six and twenty, things went different, 
Offers now were much less frequent; 
Few were praising, none were vying 
To be foremost — not one dying. 

One amuses 

With excuses, 

He refuses. 

Now they flout me, 

Go without me, 

Laugh about me. 
How provoking, thus to suffer — 
Cruel, cruel, none to offer. 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 83 

At thirty-six — gracious ! how many 
Call me 'fusty, Mistress Granny' — 
Hateful nothings, lack-brained donkeys, 
Graceless, grinning, two-legged monkeys. 

First they greet me, 

Then they twit me, 

All then quit me ; — 

They are glad now — 

'Tis too bad now, 

To be made now, 
Game by such a set of fellows, 
Only fit to grace the gallows. 

These convivial songs made us forget for a time, that 
we were in captivity ; for none could look on, without 
being more or less drawn into the excitement, by the 
enthusiasm displayed by the singers. Heavy, indeed, 
would the hours pass, when we had neither amusement 
nor employment to engage our minds — bringing with them 
moroseness, and a wish to estrange one's-self, even from 
his most intimate companions, more especially, when our 
money ran short, compelling us to subsist upon our rations 
alone, which after a few days' trial, when my health and 
appetite returned, I found as insufficient, as before I had 
supposed it abundant, and it was barely enough to keep 
the worst feelings of hunger down, even when subjecting 
myself to be called selfish, by entertaining no company. 



CHAP. V. 

MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT — CONTINUED. 

Besides songs, many of the lagging hours of each day 
were occupied, to enliven our feelings and dissipate the 
ennui, which was ever getting the upper-hand of the 
desponding, by tales, stories and narratives — some ficti- 
tious and imaginary, some superstitious and ghostly, and 



84 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

some seaward and prodigious. But the greater portion of 
the spare time was taken up with the recital of the won- 
derful scenes and exploits many of the members of the 
mess and their comrades had passed through durin°- their 
long and various cruisings. In these, to make his hair- 
breadth escapes greater than that told by his mess-mate, 
each showed less regard for high colouring, than he dis- 
played an aptness at invention, by giving them location 
that ever ensured belief. 

The few I have selected, (from the abundance volumes 
might be filled,) are not inserted for their intrinsic worth, 
but from the circumstance of their pleasing me at the 
recital the most of any, and for carrying a greater proba- 
bility of truth with them, than many of the others. Per- 
haps the charm was in the narration ; if so, I have kept 
them in remembrance for naught. 

As regards the truth of these tales, if they will be any 
the more interesting to the reader, he may know, that 
testimonials have latterly fallen in the way of the writer, 
which bring incontestable proof that the main particulars, 
contained in three out of the four, are facts, which is as 
far as he dare vouch for what is recorded in the 'chit- 
chat' series. Of the other tale, the reader must take such 
proof as the narrator offers, and then he can form his own 
conclusions. 

The following was told by Little Nap, with an asser- 
vation that it too was truth, and offered, if doubted by 
any, to clinch it with the 'mess table oath,' which was 
the same as the one administered when crossing the line — 
'never to eat brown bread when I can get white — never 
to kiss the maid when I can the mistress,' etc. etc. ; for 
the remainder, I must refer the reader to the narratives of 
those who have crossed it, or let him remain in his i<mo- 
ranee till he crosses it himself and taken the oath, when 
he will not be likely to forget it ever after. 



85 



LITTLE NAP'S ADVICE. 



'When I first went to sea, I was at the age of eighteen, 
and something of a beau ; and with good reason, for in 
this old hulk, there is now little remaining of what was 
then no bad promise of a well-looking man. I left behind 
many a kind heart, who wished me well, if nothing 
more ; but with none did I part so unwillingly — none 
did I regret to leave behind more than Alice, between 
me and whom there had been many soft sayings, with- 
out any one mistrusting it — she being afraid of her mama, 
and I was too bashful for any one to suppose I ever had 
looked a girl full in the face, as I never had, when I 
thought a third person was observing me. At parting, 
she barely said good-bye, whilst others w r ere ready to 
overflow with grief. This I did not like. Many presents 
were forced upon me by others, but Alice had not a 
parting word or gift as a remembrance. 

'At my return from a three years' passage from around 
the world, having been on a sealing voyage, and after- 
wards to China, I found all well, and much gladness in 
store for my safety. The best present in my chest was 
given to Alice, whose eyes sparkled with a brightness 
that caused me to turn to the open window, to see if the 
flashes came from the black looking cloud, arising from 
the south-east, which showed a stormy front ; but I could 
gather nothing from it, except a drop as it fell directly 
in my eye. This I was forced to wipe out, before I could 
say a word to Alice ; and when in talking trim, I was 
puzzled at seeing her wipe the rain drop from her eye, 
not knowing how she could have caught it by the dis- 
tance she stood from the window.' Here the weather- 
beaten narrator paused a moment, to adjust the tobacco 
in his pipe, which he took from his pocket, but made no 
farther use of it, than to place it before him. 

'We will pass over the remainder of my stay ashore 
at this time, as well as the next voyage I made to Liver- 
8 v.2 



56 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

pool, from thence to the Black Sea ; when again we took 
our tacks on board for the Straits, and were boxed about 
from port to port, till we arrived at home, after another 
absence nearly as long as the first. Alice and I compared 
reckonings, and understood matters better than formerly ; 
but for certain reasons, we thought it best to let nothing 
go abroad, as each of the fair girls of our acquaintance 
supposed she stood as good a chance of securing me, as 
any of the others. You laugh, shipmates, but you did 
not know me at twenty-four,' drawing up to ease his atti- 
tude, and paying particular attention to the straightening 
of his shirt collar. 

'Alice had joined a sewing society during my absence, 
under the direction of an old maid, who was as sour and 
crabbed, as living forty-five years without a sweetheart 
could make her, and who had the impudence to suppose, 
she had held out allurements sufficient for me to go to sea 
no more. This fair one had ever been in her teens, as 
was manifest, not only from her protestations, but from 
greater authority, that of her not ceasing to grow in 
height; and it was quite time for her to be thinking of 
coming back, for she had long since reached the length 
the craft of her class are allowed to stretch, when good 
looks, or safety in squally weather, is consulted. Some 
how or other, at one of their meetings the truth slipped 
out, how the current was setting between Alice and me. 
Now came flashings more brilliant than those from the 
broadside of a three-decker. Each girl of my former 
acquaintance, who was at the assembly, was ready to tear 
the clothes from the one who had supplanted her in the 
good graces of her favourite. 

'Vain were their endavours to find out what had proved 
so fascinating about the little rogue, once their favourite, 
but now their hate. After many pros and cons, they 
could hit upon nothing else than the brilliantly shining 
head of hair which she possessed, knowing that I was 
always more than pleased at comely locks.' Nap unco* 



LITTLE NAP'S ADVICE. g7 

vered his head, and placed his cap on the table before 
him, the weather being warm, which gave rise to a sus- 
picion that it would not be taken amiss, for the listeners 
to occupy the spare time in studying the beauties of his 
luxuriant growth of hair. But the insinuation was more 
partial than the circumstance deserved ; for Chaw-tobacco 
Joe followed suit, without any such surmisings at his 
uncovering. 

'One evening she came home from an afternoon's 
meeting of the sewers, with her face rather overbalanced 
by the protuberance of her under lip, (a family feature, 
when wrathy,) and appealed to me to know what she 
should do, as the members had overhauled some old rules 
of the society, that had lain dormant from time imme- 
morial, which went to show that its members should not 
wear the hair, except as a crop, or smoothly raked back. 
Here was a snarl not easily got over. For Alice to give 
up those tresses which I had mused on when thousands 
of miles away — those locks that nothing could drive from 
my mind — not even the fierce whistlings of the hurri- 
cane's blast could for a moment make me forget the curls 
I had doated on in moments of happiness — never think- 
ing of danger whilst thinking of their owner — I could not 
agree to it for a moment. The advice I gave was, for 
her to cut their mess, and work her own oar, rather than 
to submit to a mutilation unheard of, or make a Chinese 
block out of the best figure-head in the county, with 
as little meaning as grace, as you can see, by turning 
your looks upon Joe,' who was the while smoothing back 
his hair, to the danger of an enlargement of his eyes by 
the strain to which he was putting them. 

'This would not do; Alice must have my advice as 
authority to go by, and would act only as I said, ending 
with a pout, that rather disfigured her pretty face, by the 
red pulpy lip thrusting itself before all, as much as to say 
'who dares.' When the short scrimmage that followed 
was over, the lip was as it should be, without its being 



88 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

bitten off. I never was in a worse snarl in my life, 
always excepting my squint at the Frenchman ; for I 
knew as little about giving advice on a matter so knotty, 
as Chaw-tobacco Joe does of behaving himself in decent 
company ; for he has done nothing since we spoke of 
the lip, except to shove out his own scow-looking dung- 
cart, till he has worked it far enough ahead to see if it 
resembles that which brought on the scrimmage.' This 
digression brought Chaw-tobacco Joe to his senses. 

'I told Alice I would draw up my opinion of the diffi- 
culty in dispute on paper, and at the next meeting, I 
would read it to the members, if permission were granted, 
when most likely all disputes would be ended. At the 
time appointed, the advice was prepared, and read through- 
out, before descanted upon. 

The Advice. — 'A grand council was called, consisting 
of Misses Maypole, Whitetop, Buttercups, Dumpy Sue, 
and a score of others, under officers, not worth mention- 
ing, though sworn to act according to the evidence 
shown, which means, in the presence of their superiors, 
to do as bidden by them. 

'The calling of this court was for the purpose of trying 
one of their members, Cherry-button, for having appeared 
under false colours when on duty, and in the presence 
of her enemies. The accused was brought to the bar, 
and charged with the offence. She set up her defence, 
and was like to gain the good will of the council by her 
eloquence and interesting appearance, when she was told 
to be silent — that she was there to bow to the will of the 
council, and not to dictate to her compeers, maugre the 
under lip, which began to show symptoms of an over- 
flow, with no friendly aid to assuage its swellings as upon 
a former occasion.' Now, Joe, be decent. Hold in but 
a little longer, and I shall be done. Cut as many antics 
as you please with the rest of your body, but that fore- 
castle under jaw of yours I cannot abide.' The jaw was 
relieved for the time of farther annoyance, by throwing 
off its trouble in a quick, sharp 'go ahead !' 



LITTLE NAP'S ADVICE. 89 

'In the course of the discussion in the council, which 
was carried on in an under tone, Cherry-button thought 
she heard the word tresses used, which no little alarmed 
her. She was soon after made positive that her fate was 
sealed, by the sentence being pronounced, 'that, although 
it is lawful for the members to wear their hair in a be- 
coming manner, as laid down by the rules of the asso- 
ciation, yet, inasmuch as the prisoner on trial has made 
use of hers as an allurement to catch what others might 
have gained by less objectionable means, it is decreed, 
that for the offence, the accused shall have the offending 
locks severed closely from her head.' 

'No sooner was sentence pronounced, than preparations 
were made to put it into execution, by each of the mem- 
bers seizing her scissors, and brandishing them with a 
zeal worthy the occasion. As Cherry-button saw the 
cutting process so near at hand, without a friendly look 
from which she could gather the least pardonable expres- 
sion, she could stand it no longer, and at once bolted.' 
Chaw-tobacco Joe by this time had worked his hiero- 
glyphics into a bounce, which carried him into the terri- 
tories of the adjoining mess. When he returned to his 
seat, the advice was resumed. 

'The unexpected flight gave her a starting that was 
valuable ; for, although she was a good runner, there were 
others in the room who could outstrip her and give odds. 
Dumpy, (my second best choice, in case Alice and I 
should fall out — always keeping more than one anchor 
ahead, when in port,) the little rogue, being nearest the 
door, and having the most presence of mind, as all rogues 
have, followed at once. Now she was by far the worst 
runner, but by her so quickly getting under weigh, and 
by greater exertions, she led the others for some time, as 
they rushed after, each with scissors in hand, ready to 
do the cropping, till Maypole came sweeping by like a 
comet, gaining on the chase rapidly, who, however, was 
doing wonders, thanks to the suppleness of joint and limb, 
8* v.2 



90 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

gained by previous dancing school exercise, of which, 
now if never more, she felt the benefit.' The sham- 
pooning which Joe's lower joints were undergoing, not 
yet being completed, was the reason of the short pause 
here in the recitation of Little Nap. 

'Cherry-button's chance would have been small, even 
in this early stage of the chase, had Maypole been less 
intent on showing her figure, than in doing her duty ; for 
on approaching the object of pursuit, she would throw 
herself into a fencing attitude, with her scissor arm ex- 
tended, clipping the air at each successive hop, into 
which her run had changed by her sidling position, that 
gave her an opportunity to show off her figure, and the 
chase a chance to shoot ahead.' The six divisions of the 
broadsword having been gone through by our nervous 
worker in hieroglyphics, his exercises terminated by 
thrusting his lank, scissor-shaped fingers into the short, 
red hair of Flash-in-th'-pan, made the more crispy by the 
hot temperature of the soil it sprung from, and fastened on 
to the ear of its hotspur owner, with a command to 'cut 
and run!' The interference of the by-standers prevented 
a collision, which otherwise inevitably must have taken 
place. 

'Up to this time, the runners had pretty well scattered 
on both sides, Dumpy doing wonders, considering her sail- 
ing qualities, her breadth of beam being but little less than 
her length, with rounded bows, and bulging waist, yet she 
had fallen astern so as to be of no farther account. But- 
tercups and Whitetop, knowing the ground over which 
the chase must go before reaching her place of safety, 
took a short cut through a by-path, dashed down with 
rapid strides, intending to intercept or cut off the chase, 
who was under a full press of canvass, dashing along with 
her streamers flying in the wind more beautiful than ever. 
But here their over-zeal was prostrated, for they had 
gained such a velocity when coming to the crossing, that 
they shot by the bows of the chase, and passed on like 



LITTLE NAP'S ADVICE. 91 

the wind, giving her a reach of a cable's length or so 
ahead, before they could bring up.' The glow of Well- 
bred Jim's nose was seen to take a freshening tint, at the 
mention of the flowing hair, and the speaker's eyes were 
somewhat more animated than usual, when both were 
brought suddenly to their senses, by a flap from the broad 
palm of Joe, who was underweigh with the belligerent 
party ; and in one of his wide swings of the arms, while 
rounding-to, without duly attending to the lee-braces, the 
hand came in contact with the nose of Jim, Joe at the 
same time uttering 'breakers !' Matters were soon com- 
promised, as Joe meant nothing hostile, and the nose had 
seen worse buffetings. 

'The chase feared nothing now but that pestering May- 
pole, who was ever in her wake, like a high-masted frigate, 
towering above her companions, ranging up close upon 
her quarters every five minutes, and might have easily 
done the clipping, had she been content to do it in a rough- 
and-tumble way ; but no, she must show off her figure, 
throw herself into stays, and bring up all ataunto ; and 
before she could luff for a broadside, or the favourite posi- 
tion was taken, the chase was far out of her reach, plough- 
ing along with a taut bowline and a steady hand at the 
helm, as could be seen by her straight wake.' Again was 
Chaw-tobacco Joe at his duty with the tiller, his eyes aloft 
to catch the first flutterings of the head sails, if she hap- 
pened to broach-to the least too much, which he was 
determined to prevent, as could be seen by the rapidity 
of his glances from the compass in the binnacle to the 
swallow-tail above the truck of the sliding-top-gallant- 
mast, showing a determination to outdo the chase with 
her straight course, and gain admiration by his nicety of 
steering. 

'At this stage of the chase, an incident occurred, which 
nearly proved fatal to Cherry-button, and from a quarter 
least expected. The last we heard from Dumpy, she had 
fallen immeasurably astern, was waddling along like a 



92 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

Dutch lugger in a cross-sea ; and to a casual observer, 
through a hazy atmosphere, appeared by her yawings and 
broaching-to, rather to be working backwards than for- 
wards ; yet she was still making some headway, but in 
comparison to the others, so little as not to be worth 
noticing, and she had become an enemy no more to be 
dreaded. Some flying reports say, she lost ground, by 
lufhng up to a cake table to purchase a lot of sugar-plums ; 
but we have no positive proof of it, and do not believe 
the report ; for this reason, that the dear little fatty was 
sweet enough in her own person, without any such auxi- 
liaries.' The eyes of all present were drawn upon Cap- 
stan Jack, by the unusual circumstance of his drawing in 
his breath, with his teeth slightly parted, never before 
being known but to respire. Whether this in-drawn sigh 
was intended for the fading or the plums, w T as never 
known. Capstan Jack was not loquacious, his eloquence 
lay altogether in his looks. 

'Dumpy would have been soon run down, and left 
entirely out of sight, but for a friendly hog, that came 
yelling and squealing from an open gate, with a terrier 
pup fastened to its flesh, and which, in its agony, ran 
directly under Dumpy, lifting her from the ground, and 
carried her forwards with the fury and swiftness of a race- 
horse. Nor did the pig give up its freight of pulpy sweets 
(another sigh from Capstan Jack, of less devotion than the 
first, without the parting of the teeth,) till it had passed 
the chase some distance, nor then till it tacked short into 
the lane, which led to its own domicil.' Had the pum- 
meling. the round shoulders of Double-me-up was under- 
going, been upon the back of the pig, it would have had a 
heavier burthen, than to continue carrying the load it had 
so unceremoniously left by the road-side. Whether the 
blows were given for the disrespects shown to the sex, or 
because the back did not hold on to the sweets, does not 
appear. Joe often left others to draw conclusions, without 
correcting them, should they err. 



LITTLE NAP'S ADVICE. 93 

'Cherry -button here was among breakers ; for before 
was an enemy, on either side many, in the rear, legions !' 
Flash-in-th'-pan and Chaw-tobacco Joe were both invo- 
luntarily thrown into battle array, not against each other, 
but to do the fighting of this hard-pressed chase. If she 
had been present in propria persona, to beat up for volun- 
teers, she would have numbered others of the mess on 
her side, besides these worthy champions, who have so 
often interrupted the narrative. 

'But the chase relied upon the smiling face of Dumpy, 
which being interpreted, read, 'no harm dwells within;' 
(she has since said, bless her little heart, that she could 
not clip for laughing) — kept on her course, shot ahead, but 
was evidently much blown. She shortly now would have 
been overtaken by those in her wake, had not a miserable 
cur created a diversion and scattering of the fleet, by 
coming through them pell-mell, yelping and yelling, with 
a tin pan tied to his tail. As misery loves company, he 
came close aboard of the chase, with his din and racket, 
thinking no doubt their troubles were alike, as they were 
both heading the same course, only that hers were at the 
head, while his were at the tail ; with this difference still 
(due respects to the dog's thoughts, notwithstanding,) that 
the chase was eager to preserve hers, while the dog was 
over-anxious to be rid of his, even at the expense of the 
tail, which was no great sacrifice, it being a bob of the 
shortest kind. 

'Either the ki-yi-ing of the dog, or the fright caused by 
his proximity, infused new vigour into the chase ; and, 
by dodging under a horse and cart, instead of losing time 
by going around it, as did those following, she at last 
reached her home in safety, and none the worse for the 
run, although a tough one. 

'The dog, seeing a pair of boots standing near his path, 
darted between them, divesting himself of the pan, and 
upsetting the owner of the same, who came down stern 
on, squarely into the pan. which was there providentially 



94 « MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

left, to save his nether garments from a miry slough, into 
which otherwise they must have been swashed.' 

'The 'advice' was read to the end without interruption. 
If the cushion, on which the 'old 'un' sat, had been 
stuffed with young skunks, each with a pressure of odour 
of two hundred and fifty pounds to the square inch, she 
would not have squirmed and snuffled more. For once I 
raised my eyes above the manuscript, to see how the read- 
ing took ; when the contortions of her countenance made 
me suppose, she was trying to fashion her face from a cast- 
off straw hat, belonging to an unruly four-year-old urchin, 
that hung upon a peg opposite to her, and which had 
been twisted into as many shapes, as the ingenuity of its 
wearer could devise, in his multitudinous motives for mis- 
chief. But the comparison was rank-scandal to the hat ; 
for she was gathering in the slack of her face on the one 
side, while she was letting out at the other ; — chewing the 
end of her tongue, while it was striving to force itself out 
with an anathema; snapping about with the right eye-lid, 
w r hile the left was trying to screen the rolling motions of 
its body corporate, which with its upward roll, was a hint 
for Satan to avaunt. Her jerkings and scowlings can be 
better understood, by taking a squint at Chaw-tobacco Joe, 
who is now going through with her beauties ; and he 
would like to make the mess believe, he knows as much 
about the whole affair, as I do, who was present. 

'I was never afterwards asked for advice upon this 
head ; neither was Alice troubled by these medlers, for 
the fashion she chose to wear her hair, for the ridicule cut 
even deeper than I wished it should. 

'Shortly after, I went to sea again ; since when, I have 
not seen nor heard of either Alice or her companions. At 
parting, she 'gave me a three-cornered package, done up 
and confined with a ribbon tied with a true-love knot, 
which contained a lock of her silken hair. I knew that 
ill luck was generally brought upon those, who carried 
such keepsakes, but I could not refuse it. 



LITTLE NAP'S ADVICE. 95 

'Do,' said Alice ; 'no evil can arise from a pledge given 
with the sincerity of so pure a spirit of affection ; and 
know in your wanderings, when looking upon it, that the 
thoughts of the giver are with the cherisher of this poor 
offering ! 

'I took it— kept it— **#****.' 

Over the weather-roughened countenance of the speak- 
er, passed a shade, telling stronger than words, of the 
perturbation within, as he unconsciously felt, whether his 
tin protection box was safe in the pocket, made for that 
alone, in the left breast of the waistcoat. Inside of the 
protection, impressed with the broad seal of his country, 
which promised him safety from the pressgangs of the 
British cruisers, was still cherished the lock of hair of 
which he was speaking when his rising emotion pre- 
vented his saying more. He ended with — 

'Twenty-two years is a fearful time to be without even 
hearing from those we love. It may yet be years before 
either knows whether the other be among the living ; or, 
perhaps, it may be better that the certainty should not be 
known.' 

The mess rose and separated without an observation. 
Even Capstan Jack was twice seen to draw the back of 
his rough hand across his eyes ; but then, the window 
opposite was open, and possibly the wind might have 
puffed the dust towards him, as he was rising to look out. 



The Doctor was often pressed for either a song or a tale, 
but as often declined ; saying, as all knew, he could not 
sin<*, had never met with a circumstance out of which he 
could make any thing interesting, and had no imagination 
by which he could engage the attention of his hearers. 
But rather than undergo the penalty required, (that of 
standing cook for the mess when not his turn,) he would 
relate what actually occurred, and came near making him 
a murderer of his mother. This startled the members of 



96 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

the mess, and Tiger Josh was most particularly shocked 
that he, without knowing it, had slept in close proximity 
with almost a murderer. The Docter was requested to 
proceed, when he related the following. 

GOING FOR THE DOCTOR. 

When a lad of some five or six years of age, my mother 
was subject to sudden. and severe attacks of the croup, 
many times being past speaking, in less than an hour after 
the first symptoms appeared. One morning, her early 
rising and unusual hoarseness, plainly told the forth- 
coming malady, although she stoutly denied it was any 
thing more than a cold, which W'ould pass off by break- 
fast time, with a little exercise. But sister Sally knew 
better ; she had seen too many of those attacks, and knew 
full well, that unless early relief was administered, it 
must in a few hours prove fatal. 

How to send for the doctor, who resided in the village 
about three miles distant, the only one who understood 
the treatment of the disease, and the only physician who 
attended my mother under those attacks, sister Sally did 
not know, for none were at home except me, my mother 
and herself. Sally could not be spared, and I had never 
been in the direction the doctor lived, more than a mile, 
so it was doubtful if I were sent, whether I should be 
enabled to find the way or do the errand as required. 
However, there was no time, to spare, an early breakfast 
was given to me, with directions for my route in as plain 
a manner as possible, charged to make all haste, and I 
was set a-going on my journey. 

My head was so filled with 'this way and that way' — 
'to the right, then to the left' — 'this by-road till reaching 
yonder cart-path' — 'up to the dead tree, then turn to the 
right and cross the log bridge,' etc. etc. that I found it 
impossible to retain a half of what was told to me, and 
that with much inconvenience, so I concluded it w r as 
better to depend upon inquiry, than thus to tax my 
memory beyond reason. 



GOING FOR THE DOCTOR. 97 

I paddled along on my journey, and was in a fair way 
of doing my errand, when I came to the latitude of a mi- 
niature saw mill belonging to Jack Beeton, a lad of some 
four years my senior, which lay within half a mile of my 
direct path. A thought suggested itself, that at no time 
should I have such another opportunity of setting it in 
motion and examining its ingenuity, without the officious 
interference of its owner, who was always jealous of any 
but himself meddling with it. Accordingly, I leaped the 
fence, and was shortly admiring its peculiar fashion — won- 
dering at the ingenuity of Jack, supposing it the ne plus 
ultra of all the machinery ever before made. After admir- 
ing it for some time in still life, I hoisted the small gate, 
let on the water, and was now much more taken up with 
its moving qualities than when examining its make only. 
At last I began a calculation, that, as the mill moves thus 
fast with so little water, how much faster will it go bv 
increasing the moving power ? The result of this sage 
problem was, 'who's Jack Beeton, that he should have the 
best mill among his playmates.' With the help of a stick, 
I was not long in undermining the dam, which brought the 
water to the wheel with such force, as to carry the whole 
down stream with a velocity that astounded me ; and, lest 
I might be discovered in my doings, and called to account 
by the builder of the mill, knowing well the kindness of 
Jack to those who had offended him, for I had several 
times come under his gentle handling, for less offences 
than the present, I scampered out of the vicinity of 
danger, as fast as legs could carry me, congratulating 
myself that Jack could no longer crow over his com- 
panions, by saying he possessed the best plaything in the 
neighbourhood. 

But for the mishap of the dam, I should have loitered 
by its side till I had forgotten my errand, or become 
hungry, either of which would have carried me towards 
home again, instead of on my journey. As it was, the 
accident sent me on the way my business called me, 
9 v.2 



OS MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

with a reasonable pace, till I came to a corn-field at the 
left of the path, in the centre of which was the figure of 
a man, stuck upon a stick, to frighten the crows from the 
field. Not liking to pass such a frightful object on my 
return, should I be belated, as I was like to be, I forth- 
with set about its destruction. I was afraid to encoun- 
ter it at close quarters, so I kept pelting it from a distance 
with stones, till at last I brought it down. In its fall, it 
gave a pitch towards me, which confirmed my belief that 
it had life. I yelled and heeled it like a whipped cur, 
nor dared to look back, till out of breath with running. 
It was lucky that I was between the demolished scare- 
crow and the object of my journey; for had I been the 
other side, I should have ran back, and when once headed 
homewards, it is doubtful whether I should have hauled 
up, till under parental protection. 

I did not again loiter till I came to a muddy stream, 
over which was thrown a log, for the convenience of foot 
passengers, with a pole resting upon crotches for a hand- 
rail. Here I knew I was a-right, and by the 'log bridge' 
that I was on known ground, the first landmark that I 
had recognized since starting, as charged to be guided 
by ; and that I should not easily forget it, I was soon 
investigating its use and effects, and came to the conclu- 
sion that the hand-rail was quite superfluous to all but 
cowardly ninny-hammers, for / could and did run back 
and forth upon the log some dozen times, without the aid 
of the same. At last I became so venturesome as to try 
the experiment of walking across the pool upon the hand- 
rail, and had accomplished three-fourths of the distance, 
when T became alarmed at my daring, turned to go back, 
missed stays, and went heels over head, souse into the 
black muddy water beneath, where I floundered and 
paddled about for some time, not doubting that I should 
be drowned, and knowing if I was not, the precious 
licking I should get for this muddy swim, would be quite 
as uncomfortable for the time it lasted, if not so durable. 



GOING FOR THE DOCTOR. 99 

At. last I gained the shore, drew myself up the bank, 
where I sat crying at my hapless fate, thinking of my 
playmates who were afar off, enjoying the comforts of a 
lunch at home, while 1 was here on this long, lone journey, 
the like of which was never undertaken by man, for I was 
in territories unknown. Then my poor sick mother came 
in for an especial boo-hoo, till sobs took the place of tears, 
and at last sleep overcame all. 

When I awoke, my appearance must have been en- 
chanting. The sun had dried to a crust the mud upon 
my well-covered carcass, and the rubbing my eyes under- 
went while crying, had ground in the same, till I was 
truly amiable. However, I was refreshed by the sleep, 
and scraped myself as well as I was able, divested my- 
self of the larger crusts, thinking the lesser ones of but 
little consequence. Seeing blackberries near by, I ate 
long and heartily, being no wise particular in putting 
them in my mouth, either single or by handfulls, giving 
the preference to the latter mode generally, as by that I 
was in a fairer way of setting the dye to my before well- 
in udded face. 

After eating to a surfeit, I pushed on, meeting with no 
other mishap, till I reached the village, with its thickly 
clustered houses, when I became perfectly bewildered at 
the multitude and splendour of the buildings. Now for 
the first time my mind wandered, and I could not recol- 
lect whether to take the street to the right or to the left, 
but at a venture chose the latter, sauntered along till I 
came to Judge Brigham's ; and liking the appearance of 
the house, it being the largest and best painted I had seen, 
in I went, and sat down upon the first seat that offered. 

The family were at dinner, and I waited with much pa- 
tience and greater hopes, that I should be invited to join at 
the meal, for blackberries I found but poor trash to travel 
on in comparison to their dyeing qualities. To my sur- 
prise, I was not noticed, except now and then by a look 
and a giggle from the youngsters, which I thought strange, 



100 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

but concluded it was the way fashionable people, like the 
Judge's family, displayed their gentility. After the meal, 
the eldest daughter of those who had eaten, came to me, 
washed my face, kindly buttoned my shirt collar, gave me 
the half of a mince-pie, and asked me my errand. She 
said I had taken the w r rong course for the doctor's, that 
I should have turned to the right and gone up the street, 
and then I was hurried on my journey much refreshed. I 
could not account for her haste in getting me off, feeling 
in no hurry myself, unless it was to save the other half of 
the pie, which my eager eyes were as fast securing as 
my voracious gulpings were greedily making way with its 
fellow. I leisurely walked up the street, taking due notice 
of every house I passed, viewing all things as new and 
marvellous, storing my mind with sufficient to relate to 
my playmates for months to come, and to ensure my 
superiority in standing forever after. 

When I had progressed as far as 'Squire Ruggles', I saw 
Mrs. R. and her young daughter, a beautiful girl, sitting 
inside the door, sewing, and was certain something good 
was within. I said to myself, 'if mince-pies come from 
such homely girls as the Judge's, here must be custards,' 
and without stopping to discuss the merits or demerits 
of the proceeding, I marched in, stood bolt upright, after 
making my best bow, expecting every moment to be 
gobbling at the custards, which in spite of my endeavours 
to the contrary, had engrossed my thoughts, so as to 
entirely detract them from the pretty face of the little 
miss, who was trying to ape her mother at her sewing, 
both in the attitude of setting and handling the needle, 
till her roguish eyes, whilst gazing at the fixture upon 
the floor, so far led her thoughts astray,- that the needle 
mistook the finger for the muslin, making havoc both 
of the finger and the pretty face by the poutings which 
followed. I was here again asked my errand, and when 
I had told them I was sent for the doctor, I thought I was 
hurried off with unbecoming brevity ; not, however, till 



GOING FOR THE DOCTOR. 101 

was thrust into my hands a piece of bread and butter. 
A poor substitute, said I, for custards. I moved off with 
a little sullenness and more disappointment, at receiving 
such scurvy fare from such uncommonly nice people. 

As soon as I had given my buttered bread the desirable 
horse-shoe form, by eating the softer inside out, I set 
about disposing of that, feeling loath to throw it away, 
as 'you may see the time, when you will be glad to eat 
worse than this,' was a lesson too well impressed upon 
my memory, to be easily effaced. I hung it in the hol- 
low of my arm and journeyed on, till I came to a sand 
bank by the road-side, when I sat me down, dug a con- 
venient grave, and in it deposited the last remains of the 
bread and butter — covered it to a becoming depth, and 
erected a head and foot-stone to mark its place of burial. 
All this was done in as slow, solemn, and silent a manner, 
as so grave a subject required, consuming not more than 
half an hour in the whole. 

At last I was at my journey's end, which I knew by 
seeing the Doctor's iron-grey horse, fastened to the yard 
fence. Lucky was it for the sick, that the horse was 
there tied, else I might have been travelling to the pre- 
sent time ; for I was too bashful, backward, or dumb to 
ask for advice or directions. 

I concluded the Doctor was not far off, and that I could 
intercept him when he came for his horse, which would 
save me the trouble of going up to the house, and passing 
the large dog I saw chained near the pathway that led 
to the front door. Besides, I espied on the other side of 
the road, a barn with red shutters, whose oddity attracted 
my curiosity in so strong a manner, as to make me wish 
for a closer examination of this wonder of art. After 
clambering the fence, and viewing the building for awhile, 
my curiosity, instead of being satiated, was only made 
the stronger, not feeling satisfied, till I had made sure the 
red shutters were continued on the opposite side, nor then 
till I had counted them twice round the barn, and was on 
9* v.2 



102 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

my third circuit, to make positive I was aright, when I 
saw the Doctor cominsr for his horse. 

I was soon on the bank opposite, where he was tight- 
ening the girths of his saddle, and adjusting his medical 
saddlebags, that he had brought from the house, swung 
upon his left arm, in a truly professional way, which none 
can imitate save the initiated. I supposed he would ask 
me my business, as others had done before, but he took 
no notice of me whatever, although I had been at some 
pains to study an attractive attitude, by doffing my hat, 
bringing it down before me, holding it fast with both 
hands, and standing straight and erect, with countenance 
strained to a rigidness of tension, as painful to bear, as 
it was laughable to see. However studied and amiable 
the attitude, it had no attractions for the doctor, he probably 
mistaking me for a rough granite post, as very naturally 
he might ; for the mud I had gathered in my duck in the 
pool still adhered to my clothes, and was baked and dried 
by the sun, which turned it to a dull bluish colour ; this, 
together with the white head, and recently washed face, 
answering well to the whitewashing to which the tops of 
these posts are subject in their ornamental finish, would 
deceive travellers of greater mental penetration than was 
ever allotted to Doctor Fisher. 

He mounted and rode in a contrary direction from 
which I came, or at least so I supposed, but was not 
certain, for my head had become so bewildered, that I 
scarcely knew any thing. After going ten or fifteen 
rods, he looked back, without stopping his horse, again 
turned his face the way he was riding, but shortly reined 
up, staring hard at me, as though he was not altogether 
satisfied of my identity. Now was the time for me to 
act, which I did to perfection, by swinging my hat high 
before me, straddling my legs wide apart, and bringing 
hat, arm, head and shoulders down in regular succession, 
with a tremendous swing, stopping nothing till I could 
see clear sky rearwards, a counterpart of what I enacted 



GOING FOR THE DOCTOR. 103 

when saluting the mother and daughter, and a salaam 
then much in vogue, in which I was particularly expert, 
or at least thought so. The bow had the desired effect 
of bringing the doctor back, who accosted me with 
'well, my little lad, what are you wanting here ?' 'I 
don't want nothing, but marm's got one of her poor 
turns, and wants you.' His eyes dilated with anger as 
he snapped out, 'you dirty little whelp, why didn't you 
let me know it at once .-' and was out of sight before I 
had recovered from the fright his scolding had caused. 
I said to mvself he was a fool to ?et so allfier'd mad at 
nothing, and came to the conclusion the horse he rode 
was not paid for, or a borrowed one, else he would not 
be so prodigal of his wind. 

On my return, I glanced at the grave where lay in 
quiet stillness the last remains of the buttered bread — 
gazed longer and with more interest where dwelt the 
probed finger and pouting lip, and custards in prospective, 
had greater difficulty in combatting my inward yearn- 
ings for a call upon those of less comely features, but 
more open hearts, thinking it barely possible the remain- 
ing half pie was sighing for the long separation from its 
better half, and praying, like myself, for a reunion : but 
with a little exertion, I conquered all selfishness, and was 
soon speeding it homewards with the renewed energy 
the sweetmeats and dough-nuts in anticipation inspired, of 
which I was promised an abundance on starting, provided 
I made all haste and behaved prettily. 

I had gone over about half the distance, when it popped 
into my head, that this was a good time to see how the 
bird's nest came on, which I had discovered about two 
months previous in an unfinished state, when on a 
berrying excursion. I took a course to the right, of 
nearly two hours' journey, into the far distant territories 
of Powder Hill, and I was sadly disappointed at not 
being able to find it, after wandering over the woods in 
every direction, searching in vain for the object of my 



104 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

wish. At last I grew extremely tired, and did not per- 
ceive the sun was setting, till the shade of the woods 
darkened to a sombre gloominess, while I was still far 
from my home, with the choice of but two ways to reach 
it. The one of these led by the domicil of Jack, the 
proprietor of the demolished saw mill, which was a dan- 
gerous route, as the owner might recognize the culprit 
who had worked his mill to destruction, even after the 
shades of night had set in ; and would not fail working 
my bones to the same tuning, as but too well I knew 
by past experience. Yet the other way was across lots, 
through swamps peopled with ghosts, hobgoblins, witches, 
jack-o'lanterns, and catamounts with rolling eyes of real 
fire-balls, besides many other beasts of prey, the history 
of which can be learned in any nursery in New England, 
by those who have the curiosity to search for them. 
After balancing the dangers of the two routes thoroughly, 
I came to the conclusion that it w T as better to take the 
licking, the severity of which I knew by experience, 
than to risk myself in dangers I knew not of. I kept the 
road, escaped unhurt, by closely hugging the wall, till 
the territories of Jack were passed in safety. 

After the excitement, from the fear of' a thrashing, had 
passed off, I began to lag with fatigue and drowsiness, sat 
down several times by the road-side with a willingness to 
sleep, but was prevented by the cry of the night-birds, 
which my increasing fears imagined to be those of the 
spirits or wild beasts of the woods and swamps. These 
had the effect of starting me ahead till I was again wea- 
ried, when again I would sit, each spell of walking on- 
wards shortening, till I was ready to sink with exhaustion, 
when all my faculties were aroused by seeing a tall figure 
approaching in my front, which could not be defined 
through the darkness, but I had not the least doubt it 
was one of those spirits which fed and lived upon such as 
myself. My frame was paralyzed with fear, and to save 
life, I could not move a joint nor utter a cry, but I plainly 



MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 105 

felt the blood curdling in my veins, and was chilled to the 
heart ; — the icy feeling is not yet forgotten, though years 
have passed since the occurrence. The figure approached 
with hasty strides and outstretched arms — in a moment I 
was caught in the close embrace of sister Sally, who 
exclaimed, 'oh, William, where have 3 r ou been staying; 
how could you so frighten us out of our wits ?' Her joy 
at finding me was no greater than mine at having an easy 
conveyance home ; for I was not a moment nestled in her 
bosom, before I was fast asleep. 

I have since been told that my loiterings had nearly 
proved fatal to my mother, the doctor only arriving in 
time to save life. 



CHAP. VI. 

MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT — CONTINUED. 

The close intimacy that existed between the Fifer and 
myself, often brought him to our table, not as an invited 
guest, unless he fetched his eatables with him ; for by so 
doing, it would have destroyed one of the principal arti- 
cles of the association, which read, 'never to ask any to 
partake of a crust, till each member was surfeited for a 
week.' The penalty imposed upon the one so offending, 
was, 'that his next and following day's allowance shall be 
shared by the mess, till he acknowledges his fault and 
promises to sin no more.' There was never a forfeit. 
But the reason the Fifer so often took a seat at our board, 
was, because at his mess-place, he had neither benches, 
tables, bowls, spoons, nor any thing else that was agree- 
able or comfortable ; nor were his messmates just such as 
he was in the habit of associating with, as he more than 
once hinted. 



106 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

At our 'sociables,' the Fifer was invited to join as one 
of the mess, which he readily did, and proved himself no 
small acquisition to the gleesome circle. He was early 
prevailed on to cheer us with a song, but his better singing 
gave much umbrage to Black Tom. though the latter said 
nothing ; yet it added two degrees of shade to his former 
swarthy complexion, so intermingled with sulky looks, that 
the Fifer could not mistake his meaning, and forever after 
refused to sing, as it invaded the undeniable rights of 
Tom, who, as of just claim he ought, stood head singer 
to the mess. The Fifer was extremely timid of giving 
offence, and was ever ready to make reparation, if re- 
quired. At a subsequent invitation to sing, he said his 
hoarseness would not allow it, (a standing excuse in all 
societies,) but if it were the same to the listeners, he 
would relate a circumstance that occurred when a boy ; 
and if any one doubted its truth, should they ever come 
his way in the States, he would not only take them to 
where it took place, but where still stands 

NATHAN'S ROCK. 

When a shaver of ten years old or so, there was to be a 
general revolution, up-break, turn-over of all old fashions, 
ways, things, and doings, in our town, and new-fangled 
notions brought into their place, which were to astonish 
the world. Nat. Osgood, Phil. Stimpson, Joe Fleetthrift, 
Jack Phelps, Dan. Tanner, and Deacon Goodenough, be- 
sides a score of others who had entered into the project, 
all smart, active men, well to do in the world — some stood 
number one at our town meetings, others held commis- 
sions in the militia, and all were distinguished by digni- 
fied offices of authority of some kind. Whilst they were 
chalking out their plans, two strangers came into the vil- 
lage, who were brothers. No one knew from whence 
they came, nor cared, for they were artisans just from 
their apprenticeship, and both were hale, hearty and 
comely in their appearance. 



Nathan's rock. 107 

Nahum, the elder, was a carpenter, and Nathan was a 
blacksmith; trades much valued in the improvements 
projected, and as they were 'promising young men,' they 
were at once adopted into the community. Nahum was 
smart, but Nathan was smarter ; — he was the general fa- 
vourite — none could plan like Nathan — he could do more 
than any body else — do it better — could dance and fiddle 
at the same time — in fact he could outdo himself, at least 
so every body said. 'Nathan can make, and Nahum can 
build — Nathan shall have a shop, Nathan shall have a 
house, and by-and-bye Nathan may have a wife, and 
become qualified for a selectman,' was the voice of every 
body. As for a wife, why he could have the pick and 
choice of the girls in ten miles square, without asking 
leave — it was no use for any other trying to shove in 
where Nathan had once made his bow. Accordingly, 
without loss of time, a three-cornered lot of gravel stones, 
upon a base of sunken rocks, was fenced in and deeded to 
Nathan, the plan of the building was of sufficient size to 
have one end hereafter partitioned off for the store ; and 
the whole to be paid in smithing at about three prices of 
good land, as I have since been informed. The shop was 
built and made ready for Nathan in short order — nobody 
held back that could lend a hand. 'Nathan shall have 
money, Nathan shall be a merchant, we will have a store 
in the neighbourhood, we will not be compelled to go from 
home, to be cheated — Nathan is an honest man — Nathan 
never did cheat — Nathan is an almighty fair man, for all 
things prosper under Nathan's handling; — Nathan shall 
go to the legislature — none can bring about reform like 
Nathan.' He proposed nothing, but quietly slid into 
other people's whims, notions, and vagaries, and gained 
all praise without having the trouble to look for it, or 
work for it either, many times — all he said or performed 
was perfection. Often have I tried to step in Nathan's 
tracks — longing for the period to arrive when mine would 
equal his ; a very laudable ambition, for I was not alone 
in following in the footsteps of Nathan. 



108 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

Among the many improvements, there was one of some 
utility, if it had been carried into effect. The road that led 
over the hill was so bad, that an ox team could not pass it. 
In this undertaking, Nathan seemed to take a leetle more 
interest, than in any other ; not because it passed before 
his shop ; for Nathan cared nothing for his share of the 
benefit. 'Nathan's thoughts are all for the public good — 
no selfishness has Nathan — like the king, Nathan can do 
no wrong.' 

In the course of this road-mending, which is generally 
done just after planting, when there is nothing else to do, 
the men receiving one dollar per day, the boys and cattle 
half price — (Quere. Why are the boys ten times more 
numerous at this season than any other ? Ans. Why are 
the fatting cattle brought yoked upon the highway, when 
they are not in a condition to be worked ?) the workmen 
came across a rock, that stopped the water from running 
by the side of the road. This was a hard, stubborn, 
cross-grained rock that would not move even at Nathan's 
bidding. Many plans were devised for its removal, many 
a long argument was held (in which all participated, save 
the cattle, whose per diem and feeding by the road-side 
were alike progressing with the labourers,) how the diffi- 
culty should be got rid of; but all were rejected and 
thrown aside as naught, till Nathan proposed blasting, 
the only direct proposition he was ever known to make. 
At that time in our section of the country, blowing rocks 
was not common ; and many of those engaged upon the 
road, like myself, had never seen one drilled or blasted. 

Nathan's proposition took like wild-fire — 'it's Nathan's 
own plan — who can plan like Nathan ? — Nathan can plan 
and Nathan can execute — Nathan is a smith — Nathan 
can make drills — Nathan can drill rocks — Nathan can 
blow creation all to atoms — hurrah for Nathan;' and up 
went the hats, mine the highest, as I could easily roll it 
into a ball. 'As for rocks, it is only necessary for Nathan 
to see them, and they are no better than split out-right.' 



Nathan's rock. 109 

So thought most of those present, and to express a belief 
to the contrary, why, one would have been read out of 
meeting for being a heathen. 

All followed Nathan to his shop, to see those mighty 
drills formed, that were to do the work of destruction, the 
overseer amongst the rest to watch if none left for home, 
till the ten hours expired within which he was to earn the 
dollar. At it went Nathan, and it would have done you 
good to see how very particular he was while fashioning 
his irons. Now he took a knowing squint at its straight- 
ness, then a sidling look at its breadth of edge — a^ain 
was its hardness tried and its tempering looked to with 
as much nicety, as though he was delicately feeling the 
vein to let blood. 'On its particular fashion depended 
much the effect of the explosion,' — so said Nathan, and 
Nathan never did lie. I have since thought, that Nathan 
had a spice of gammon in him ; but, although born in sin, 
as I well knew, it was then not fully developed ; or, 
rather I was then not guilty of infidelity. The same 
labour had to be gone through with the rammer and 
priming wire, consuming most of the day. It being past 
three o'clock and a Friday, the overseer thought it best 
to quit work and postpone farther operations till the next 
morning. 

That night I slept with Nathan, for he was my bed- 
fellow, which gave me much pride, but more superiority 
over my play-mates ; and with reason, for however great 
was Nathan, I was next to him. How many claim inti- 
macy with the great, whose connection is less close than 
was ours ? Many were the questions which I put to 
Nathan, and for a time freely did he answer them, (Na- 
than was a kind and good soul, and not proud,) till he 
grew drowsy — great men will sleep, as I have since 
learned. When, to my, 'Nathan are you asleep?' his 
answer, 'no,' led on to further discussion; till at last, 
the 'Nathan, Nathan, you ain't asleep?' was answered 
with a full, 'yes I am, though,' accompanied with a snore 
10 v.2 



110 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

that was proof positive he was so in reality, confirming 
my belief that Nathan could do any thing. 

Morning came, Nathan proceeded to his task sur- 
rounded by Ihe same workies of the day previous, all 
thinking that the rock lay so directly in their way, none 
could do any thing till it was removed. I watched Na- 
than with much interest, and feel proud in saying that I 
saw the first blow struck, which was to do the work of 
destruction, and shake the foundation of the universe. 
As the drill settled into the rock, at the oft and successive 
hits of Nathan, speculation ran high, as to the probable 
amount of stone thrown out, to what place it should be 
removed, etc. etc. Some thought it would be blown into 
the body of the earth, where it would be safe from 
further annoyance, others supposed it would be lifted 
entirely out of its bed, leaving a chasm deep and awful 
to be filled up ; and one pointed out a knoll, supposed 
to contain sand enough for the purpose. The overseer, 
a deacon of the stand^n-order church, a man of much 
piety, and proprietor of the knoll, was seen sucking in 
his cheeks, rolling up his eyes, and, after stretching his 
visage to its desired sanctified length, he was heard to 
ejaculate, 'the Lord cause it to be so removed, as last 
conjectured, harmless to all here present.' For some time 
his lips were moving in silent aspirations, as it was sup- 
posed, but Kurt Miller, who stood next to him, positively 
declared, nay, swore, that he was counting up his gain 
at so much per load for the sand. But Kurt was a great 
liar whom nobody believed ; still he persisted in this, and 
ought to have known, as all were silent during the pious 
grimaces of the deacon. 

As the work progressed, so was curiosity heightened, 
and the workies bad naturally fallen into a circle — the 
full prices in front, and the half prices (cattle excepted, 
irrational brutes, to be nibbling the herbage amid such 
exciting events,) in the rear. Of course my station was 
among the latter ; and seeing how the arrangement was 



Nathan's rock. Ill 

making, I kept my eyes upon a pair of bow-legs, followed 
them round the ring with the lock-step till they fell into 
line, when I ducked below. Here I was somewhat dis- 
concerted, at rinding an enormous leathern apron hanging 
in front, no doubt to hide the deformity of the legs. 
However, there was no time for ceremony, so with my 
knife, I soon had an eyelet, exactly in front of Nathan, 
the grand centre of attraction, where I enjoyed the whole 
process to its completion. 

Nathan's popularity now Avas enormous, nothing could 
equal it ; and if he had been put up as a candidate for any 
office, he would have commanded every vote upon the 
ground — 'twas no use running against Nathan — Nathan 
never had an opposition to contend with. Nathan han- 
dled the powder-horn with a carelessness unheard of; 
and when he put in the charge, I did not wink or breathe 
for a minute, wandering at that fire-eater, Nathan. 

At this stage of the proceedings, I happened to look to 
the side of the circle, and there was an eye set upon me, 
which I knew portended no good, for it belonged to 
Kurt, a playmate and companion of mine, and a kind 
lad, yet between us there were constant jealousies, bick- 
erings, and heart-burnings, invariably ending with fights, 
without ever settling the point in dispute between us, 
so nearly were we matched, but always cementing more 
closely our former friendship. The present cause of 
strife arose from his supposing mine a better location than 
the one he occupied, although his was of his own choos- 
ing, and a side view, the only one in which he could 
see Nathan to advantage, as he was much cross-eyed. 
As it required but one eye to watch Nathan, the other 
was on a cruise for mischief; and when espying my snug 
berth, he left his and squatted by my side. As the legs 
afforded accommodation for even more than two of us, 
I did not object to his company ; yet he wished me to 
wive up my peep-hole to him, or cut another for his use. 
At the first proposition I refused, on the score if it were 



112 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

an eyelet, it was not to let. The second I dared not 
agree to, as I had already done too much for my safety, 
if found out, although my fears were imaginary, for I 
could have gone to work with my knife, and cut trousers 
and all off, even to skin deep, so absorbed was the owner 
with what was before him. 

I intimated to Kurt that the front view could do him 
no good, unless he turned half round. He was on me 
like a cat. For the first five minutes I was losing: ground. 

DO ' 

as my opponent went into the fight with his temper up, 
whilst I had to get mine up as I went along, notwith- 
standing I had more to do than I had time to do it in, 
even when dropping Nathan from my thoughts, so en- 
grossed was I with the endearing hugs of Kurt. Over 
and over we went, first one on top, then the other — hug- 
ging, kicking, yelling and squalling like two tom-cats, 
till we were roughly torn apart, and had our noses 
severely rubbed together, for thus disturbing the peace, 
and breaking in upon the meditations of Nathan's doings. 
However, I feel happy in saying that I came out of the 
fight with decided advantage, as Kurt's hair was long, 
while mine, the Sunday previous, had been shorn to 
unbecoming shortness. 

Of the many encounters between Kurt and myself, I 
will relate but one ; and as Nathan will not be ready with 
his blast for some time, we may as well have it here, 
when by the time it ends, there will be matter of a more 
fiery nature to attend to, than a fracas between two 
squabbling boys. 

We had been strolling some distance from home, on a 
Sunday, when we came to an orchard of peaches, whose 
owner gave us permission to pick as many from the 
ground as we pleased. We soon had our shirt bosoms as 
full as we could stuff them, and were trudging home- 
wards in all the grotesque attitudes each was obliged to 
assume, to ease and balance himself with his three pecks 
of peaches, when at some remark of mine, he let slip the 



Nathan's rock. 113 

half of the one he was eating, slap into my face. Not 
liking to be outdone in civilities of this kind, I returned a 
whole peach for his half, with no little force, thus paying 
two for one, intimating I had more to part with at the 
same rate of exchange. He said his h-half (among his 
other amiabilities he stuttered when in a hurry) was 
b-better than m-my w-whole 'un. I maintained that he 
made his h-half w-hole, and his w-whole double, (mock- 
ing him,) and that I had paid him but a third part of his 
due, and let him have a couple to cancel the debt, with 
the like number again, to make sure the account should 
be balanced, keeping no other tally but the hits I made 
upon his person ; a very inaccurate way of counting, 
especially when one is anxious to wipe off old scores, and 
over-prodigal in exhibiting his abilities of payment from 
coffers inexhaustible. He hinted that his mode of balan- 
cing obligations was self-taught and peculiar to himself; 
and without farther ado, he pitched into me. 

This was a severe fight, if any thing can be severo 
between boys of ten. As usual, we clinched and went 
down together — hugging, squirming, biting, rolling and 
tusrinn? at each other, neither suffering the other to rise, 
but holding on whether on top or underneath, till both 
became exhausted, and left off by mutual consent, neither 
claiming nor having the advantage — a drawn game. We 
sat squatting in the road wherein the fight had taken 
place, both unwilling to make the first demonstrations for 
a second set-to, or a parley for a cessation of hostilities. 
Our disfigured looks began to raise doubts in our minds, 
whether each other's antagonist had not been meta- 
morphosed into a devil, till both simultaneously said 
Kurt! Amos! when our sullenness disappeared, and we 
began to consult the best plan of reaching our homes, 
without encountering the 'meeting folks,' on their return 
from church. Of our appearance you may judge ; but all 
I can say, we were so infernally nasty, that our very mo- 
ther's would not have owned us; for our peaches were 
10* v.l 



114 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

mashed to pumice, mixed with the dust of the road, and so 
ground in as to make us truly pretty. We adjourned to 
a neighbouring brook, rinsed ourselves as well as we could, 
went home, and got a severe thrashing, for 'going a swim- 
ming of a Sunday with our clothes on.' 

To our story ; and as Nathan has prepared his blast, 
while we have been gossiping, (Nathan never was idle,) 
we will return to that anxious circle who have already 
separated, and each selected a hiding place of safety, lest 
the fragments of stone should injure their goodly persons, 
or bury them under the scattering ruins of this (to be) 
blown up rock of ages without number. 

It was suggested that the neighbourhood should be in- 
formed of what was to happen ; and away the boys were 
sent scampering in every direction. It fell to my lot to 
carry the word to Hannah, the newly-married wife of 
the principal projector of these 'new improvements,' who 
lived at the most distant point from the rock, while Xurt 
was sent to a much nearer house, as I have since thought, 
to balance the advantage I had in the hair. I saw his 
tongue thrust out the corner of his mouth, pointing at 
me, but did not stop to ask the why, knowing a more fit- 
ing time would come to investigate this important matter, 
and off I started full-chisel, taking a straight course, dis- 
regarding all intervening obstacles to my run, fearing I 
should not get back in season for the fun. 

I leaped stumps, rocks, bogs, holes, ditches and fences, 
with the ease of a greyhound ; and when going over one 
of the latter, not well calculating the height, my trousers 
were snagged, leaving a rent athwart the seat of five or 
six inches, without any hindrance, however, to my long 
strides, as I could stretch farther forwards in my leaps, 
without a fear of putting a greater strain upon them. My 
velocity had acquired such headway, by the time I en- 
tered the house, that I found it must cause a loss of time 
to haul up and turn about ; so, seeing a door open on the 
opposite side, I shot through like a rocket, ejaculating with 



Nathan's rock. 115 

the force of let-off steam, 'look out ! for heaven and earth 
are coming together!' — cleared the door, turned the corner 
of the house, and was brought up all standing by coming 
slap against a hog-pen, whose location I was ignorant of, 
till too late to avoid a crash. But this difficulty I soon 
surmounted, with no mishap, except the rent being 
made larger. When passing the window at my greatest 
speed, I heard a giggle emanate from the women folks, at 
seeing the white flag flying at my stern peak, though, 
thought I, you wouldn't laugh if you knew what was 
going to happen. I kept on, and got back in time to find 
my hiding hole filled by Kurt, with his cock-eye leering 
at me for being behind hand. I had but just time to 
duck to the ground, Nathan standing with the lighted 
brand in readiness to fire the train, pull my hat over my 
eyes — but stop, a word with this old hat, and we will 
proceed on again. 

This time-limbered covering was one of those family 
pieces, which are handed down from one generation to 
another, as an heir loom ; — worn first by the eldest, till 
he deserved or earned a better, so on to the next, and 
to the last. As there had some eight or ten grown up 
before me, you may judge of its value, beauty, and 
fashion, (the comfort I shall keep all to myself,) when 
coming into my possession. I have heard it hinted, that 
foul play was used immediately before it came to my 
use ; and by its vast disproportion to my head, I believe 
that two at least had been skipped, and the hat had thus 
been hastened to my wear in an unbecoming manner. 
To keep it above the eyes, I had the choice of two 
ways ; — to roll its rim under at the sides, and stick it on 
as a fore-and-after, or reverse the crown, and force- my 
head into it to the desired depth, with the brim at top. 
But turn it as I would, I was still convinced that it came 
into my possession too soon, and was like to remain in it 
too long ; and that the hat did not fit me, or that I did 
not fit the hat, each in all sense ludicrous enough, but 
the two combined, irresistibly laughable. 



116 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

As I was saying when intercepted with the hat, that I 
had but just time to pull it over my face, thrust a thumb 
to the second joint in each ear, cover my eyes with my 
fingers, duck my head to the ground, resting upon my 
knees, (a position by-the-bye let me recommend to all 
who may suddenly be thrown in the way of great dan- 
ger — 'any one who can fall into the beauties of the pos- 
ture, if there be safety in it, with the quickness and 
precision Chaw-tobacco Joe has done it, need not fear 
boarding a fire-ship, after the combustibles are lighted,' 
chimed in the Doctor,) before the brand was applied to 
the train of powder. 

How long I was thus resting, I know not, for but 
little note was taken of time, during this awful suspense. 
Suddenly I received my death blow by a terrible con- 
cussion, in my most elevated parts, which completely 
capsized me. I had not the least doubt, but that the 
greatest portion of the rock had passed through and 
through me. For a moment, vague objects flashed across 
my mind, such as, smashed to atoms — farewell home — 
dead and gone — great pain in those parts, etc. etc., none 
of which lasted a second, but was gone eje matured, till 
'now I lay me' — began to calm my mind, when my pious 
aspirations were interrupted by a second crash, nearly 
equal to the first. This I could not account for, as I saw 
but one charge put into the rock by Nathan. Again 
another and another followed in quick succession, which 
I began to think were a little too regular to be without 
meaning; and so systematic had they become, that it 
required no great discernment to give them ideality — 
location was long since indisputable. On removing the 
blinds and stoppers, I was greeted by (each word dove- 
tailed in with a kick) 'why the devil don't you go home 
and get your trousers mended?' when I found the crashes 
and thumps were emanating from a double-soled shoe, 
made fast to a foot, which was hung to a leg belonging to 
Nathan. And truly, if he wielded his sledge with the 



Nathan's rock. 117 

force and elasticity he swung his foot, he stood at the 
head of the profession of smithing in the way of hard 
licks, quickly followed up. 

I was on my feet at a spring, unhurt, sound as ever; 
and there lay the rock, where it was first planted, as little 
injured in its fair proportions by the blast, as was I by the 
kicks of Nathan. Grouped about were the same workies, 
who had watched for the splitting for the last day and a 
half, without having their curiosity satisfied : for no explo- 
sion had taken place, it would not be blown — beyond the 
priming, the powder had not burnt. All things went 
wrong, and Nathan was its author, as could plainly be 
seen by the silent but eloquent looks of those present. 

But, alas, poor Nathan ! his infallibility had been put to 
the test, and it was found wanting. At first he was cool 
but sullen, by having his views thus frustrated, when at 
the very pinnacle of hi% ambition ; and on looking about 
at the cold feelings exhibited by his companions, none of 
whom showed the least sympathy for his misfortunes and 
sinking popularity, it irritated him ; and espying me in 
my position of safety, he very naturally supposed it was 
in derision at his failure, and forthwith he ventured all 
his ill-humor upon my poor carcass. I took it, however, 
as it came from Nathan, without a murmur, being 
schooled into the belief, that he could do no wrong, and 
verily his disappointment was great. From this time for- 
ward the Nathan stock fell lower and lower; and most of 
the almighty projects set on foot, ended as did the rock- 
blowing, whilst he had to fall into the ranks with others. 

The rock still stands where it was planted by its Maker, 
and as it was left by Nathan. At the last grand day, 
amid the 'wreck of matter and the crush of worlds,' 
should there be an unusual commotion in the neighbour- 
hood of Pequit Hill, will any be so well versed in history, 
as to say, 

'See ! stand from under — what a shock! 

The charge is fir'd — the explosion — Nathan's Rock.' 



118 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

It was determined at the mess table, at some discre- 
pancy with the Doctor and its members, on an important 
point of privilege, that, to ease all heart-burnings, he 
should favour them with a song. To this the Doctor 
demurred, but could neither give an excuse, nor obtain 
a substitute, and when he found nothing else would satisfy 
his inexorable judges but a song, or stand cook the fol- 
lowing day, (he disliked the one as much as he was 
deficient in notes of harmony in the other,) he consented. 
What followed, certainly was not musical nor harmo- 
nious ; and when the vote was taken — 'is the late up- 
and-down, fore-and-aft, grunt-and-snore, chock-a-block, 
wheezy -neezy hotch-potch singing? — yea or nay? an 
unanimous one decided that the Doctor had not sun?. 
Capstan Jack and Chaw-tobacco Joe, not fully under- 
standing its merits, went both for and against the question, 
being determined not to lose th§ir suffrage on so impor- 
tant a matter. I need not tire the reader's patience, by 
saying their votes were not entered upon the journal. 
The Doctor was compelled to undergo the greatest penalty 
the mess inflicted upon any of its members, (to be blind- 
folded for an hour, gazed at by the passers by, or, to look 
serious while others laughed, and laugh as long as the 
others scowled a sober face,) unless he produced some- 
thing in the way of amusement, that should be accept- 
able to the mess, and wipe off the late stain put upon 
it by himself, its head. Being thus hard pressed, the 
Doctor said he must again turn to his boyhood, but feared 
his next attempt would end much as had his singing ; 
'yet,' said he, '1 cannot be in a worse predicament than 
when participating in 

'OLD NABB'S RACE.' 

We had an old mare, which from time immemorial 
was called 'Old Nabb,' and was so christened when a 
colt, from her antiquated appearance. Between me and 
this odd creature, there existed a good understanding, 



old nabb's race. 119 

not from any unison of thought, but from our toiling so 
Ions; together in the same fields. She was but of little 
use, except to plough and go to mill. Whenever she 
was saddled, we both understood without being told, our 
destination was the mill, the way to which she knew, as 
well without as with me ; but when loaded with the neces- 
sary number of grain bags, should there be a pound more 
on one side than the other, Old Nabb would not budge 
an inch, and I was held in reserve as a balance for the 
lighter ; after which she would move off without farther 
persuasion. On the way I was so instructed by long 
practice, as to change from side to side as circumstances 
required, to keep the equilibrium correct, as we shift 
ballast, when the craft keels over too much by hauling 
close upon a wind. I was then of that exact form, 
requisite for shifting ballast — short, thick and fat, each 
cubic inch containing as much specific gravity as iron 
kentledge ; and when once plumped down, nothing could 
be farther from rolling. 

I will not attempt to describe my old associate through- 
out, for she was of the things that can safely be wor- 
shipped, and a delineation of her beauties might bring in 
question the veracity of the other portions of the cir- 
cumstance I am about relating. Her back, that part of 
the whole, in which I felt the most particular interest, 
was not unlike the sharp edge of a slab, taken from an 
arched log. I then thought, and to this day have not 
been otherwise convinced, that it was thus fashioned, 
expressly on account of the many and multitudinous sins 
by me committed; and at times I felt sure, if a few of 
those were thrown in that were to come, I still should 
have a hard bargain. 

As I before observed, she was good for nothing, except 
milling and ploughing, and in these she was perfection 
itself, never being known to move faster than a walk, and 
in fact, she was guilty of no other gait. Grandad, our 
fellow-labourer at ploughing, was old, crabbed, and un- 



120 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

forgiving, and in his moody turns he took an especial 
dislike to Old Nabb and myself, on whom he would vent 
all his spleen. As I was made to mount and hold her 
fast while the lambasting was being done, my berth was 
any thing but a sinecure ; for the old fellow in his fury as 
often mistook me, as the carcass of the beast he was 
aiming at, and frequently I was reluctantly compelled to 
believe the side licks were intended for other ribs than 
hers, the blows predominating so far in my favour, that a 
contrary conclusion would have exhibited a lack of judg- 
ment more degrading than that of quietly submitting to 
the infliction of the stripes. 

When tired, grandad, saying Old Nabb was rather in a 
sweat, would send me to the house for a saddle, to ease 
his ride upon the notched ridge aforesaid, and leave me 
to hold the plough, till he was wearied either with riding, 
or at my catching it against every stone in the furrow, 
as well as against many fast bedded in the next adjoining, 
when again he would say, Old Nabb was sufficiently 
cool to have the saddle removed, and that I might take 
its place. No reasoning of mine could convince him of 
his error, that my riding made her hot, while his made 
her cool. 

This often snagging the plough, I have reason to be- 
lieve, was not purely accidental, but nevertheless afforded 
me equal interest; for when brought up suddenly, the 
old fellow was thrown forwards to a close hug with the 
mare's neck, and as she had not patience to wait till I 
could free the plough from the stone, her alternate 
jerks and twitches prevented him from rising, and com- 
pelled him to hug the closer, in preference of being 
pitched over her head. This ungainly attitude, and ef- 
forts to regain his seat, afforded me much amusement, 
in which I indulged frequently with loud laughter, al- 
though I was sure of paying for it dearly at some future 
occasion. As I felt frolicksome, I used to ape the old 
man's peculiarity of riding, especially in that part when 



old nabb's race. 121 

he was thrown forwards by a catch of the plough. This 
was as sure to raise his ire as I was sure of a basting 
for my impudence ; but it seldom cured the evil, for his 
fury afforded a greater source of fun to my scampish 
disposition, than his lickings proved a pain to my often- 
welted back. 

So we went, season after season. Instead of grum- 
bling, I whistled on, making merry when I could, hoping 
better times would come — thinking then, as now, a light 
heart, a cheerful aspect, and a blitheful mind, the better 
passport through life — no little easing the rubs we may 
meet in its rough passage. I was buoyed up in my task, 
by knowing that Saturday night would come, when I 
should be relieved from the sharp back of Old Nabb, 
between me and which had been engendered no good 
will, giving me much pain and uneasiness, amounting 
to a soreness better remembered than described. 

Saturday night came, and Sunday followed. How I 
was relieved from Old Nabb's annoyance shall speedily 
be known to the mess, if they will have the patience to 
follow me a little farther. 

On Sundays only, I was allowed a seat at the dinner 
table with the others, and to surfeit upon that good old 
substantial fare, that one unvaried Sabbath dish, of a pre- 
vious day's cooking, which yankee custom has immor- 
talized — baked pudding and beans, the former in size 
only excelled by its solidity ; a dinner, be it known, of 
which I was particularly fond, the pudding especially, 
which had become a matter of history, by my being nick- 
named Pudding-headed Bill. Knowing that I should not 
have another opportunity for the seven days' to come, I 
strove to lay in a sufficiency for the week. Plate after 
plate of the piled up beans disappeared, with slices of 
pork between each, whose oily fat facilitated the stow- 
age, followed quickly by huge mis-shapen stacks of the 
clay-consistency pudding, till I had nearly completed my 
11 v.2 



122 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

week's allowance, and only failed by the old man return- 
ing thanks too soon. 

In passing by the buttery, when going out, I had the 
curiosity to take a look inside, and was impudently stared 
in the face by a platter of baked pears, a portion of which 
had to submit to a transfer to my pockets for their ill 
manners, as did some half dozen dough-nuts, for sneer- 
ingly turning up their twisted noses, at the singularity of 
my taste for the former, instead of the half mince-pie, 
which I intended for the last prize, after I had forcibly 
gulped down a pint of cream that stood hard by, the 
hurry preventing my knowing it was sour, till too late 
to remedy the evil, only by taking a heavy pull at the 
molasses jug, to neutralize its acidity. Hearing foot- 
steps approaching, I had barely time to escape unseen, 
with the addition of a large piece of cake, to be kept for 
some future exigency. 

After wandering through fields and woods, over which 
I had been roaming, as much for exercise as to discuss 
the merits of my late cribbings, till I had filled my pock- 
ets with chestnuts, and was on my return home, labour- 
ing under a severe fit of indigestion, from the many nuts 
with which I had topped off a dinner of no mean worth, 
if quantity, solidity, and variety, be taken into the ac- 
count, when I came to an apple-tree whose luscious fruit 
strongly tempted me to enjoy it otherwise than by look, 
notwithstanding my present bodily complaint from an 
over surfeit. To climb within reach of the tempting deli- 
cacies, was but the work of a moment, and the next I 
was industriously, while seated astride a limb, canvassing 
whether the fruit would relieve or add to my painful and 
bloated inconvenience, nor came to the conclusion it 
would or would not modify the evil effects of the granu- 
lar nuts upon the effervescent beans, till I had gorged my- 
self almost beyond the power of descending, so swollen 
was I with my greedy feeding. I sat lazily discussing 
in my mind how best I could get from my perch, with 



old nabb's race. 123 

the least possible strain upon my uneasy, rotund and 
overstrained stomach, and I scarcely know how it Was 
brought about, so great were my sufferings, till I found 
myself again roaming about the pastures, wearied with 
being alone, striving to think or do something either to 
relieve the racking pain, or to add life to my lethargic 
mind, when I suddenly came across Old Nabb, quietly 
taking her afternoon's repast. However repugnant at 
other times, I now felt a desire to be upon her back ; and 
accordingly crawled up, and there sat in all the sluggish 
indifference in which my present state enabled me to 
indulge, and again turned to munching the nuts, with as 
much diligence as a squirrel in the topmost crotch of his 
favourite oak in acorn season, determined now to kill 
the disease I was labouring; under with the same that 
had produced it, Old Nabb the while still kept feeding 
on, without noticing me any more, than as though I was 
a part and parcel of her own beautiful self. By-and-bye, 
when I had finished the last of my nuts, I felt that 
something must be done — that I required exercise, and 
knowing that on horseback was conducive to health, as 
well as a preventive against dyspepsia, I resolved to try 
it. Having heard of the wonderful feats of circus-riders, 
I thought this a good opportunity to imitate some of their 
actions, even Sunday as it was ; but then I was out of 
sight, most of the people of the neighbourhood being at 
meeting, and would not return for a full half hour or 
more. 

Ever ripe for fun and frolic, at it I went — first standing 
erect, then on one foot, with the other elevated upon a 
level with the ear, twirling around with a facility that 
astonished me, making a very spinning-top of my body. 
Now I was playing leap-frog lengthwise of her back, with 
an ease greater than the grace exhibited in the leaps — 
anon, with my legs braided to the pliability of a piece of 
cynet, I was squatting the tailor ; — again I might be seen 
in all the graceful attitudes of swimming, and after several 



124 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

attempts I managed to balance myself fork up, and found 
my body spinning around one moment, to be the next 
throwing flip-flaps with an ease and agility but little agree- 
ing with my former clumsiness, or the present condition of 
my carcass. I could not account for my lightness, only 
by supposing that I had fed beyond the point of gravita- 
tion, and it had taken a contrary effect, making me no 
more than an air bubble in weight, but an eel in sup- 
pleness. 

These antics I soon tired with, and sat thinking what 
farther exercise I required to avoid mischief, when a 
thought suggested itself, that if I could once coax Old 
Nabb into a trot, it would not only give me the exercise 
wanted, but it would enable me to say I had done more 
than others ; besides it would afford me no little amuse- 
ment to see Old Nabb out of her regular gait; I forthwith 
resolved to have a ride and a run out of the ugly beast, and 
gain more knowledge of her good qualities than my play- 
mates possessed. I first began the usual mode of heeling 
it, to wit: thumping her ribs with my heels, pushing for- 
ward, slapping, chirping, whistling, and doing all the little 
amiables in this way I was capable of, while endeavouring 
to attract her attention to my wishes. These she regarded 
not, but still fed on, and was as deeply as before engrossed 
with the surrounding dainties of the pasture. I felt my 
ire arising at being thus thwarted in my pleasures, became 
quite pugnacious, and belaboured the old jade to the ex- 
tent of my strength and temper, applying such epithets 
as were entirely unbecoming and at variance with our 
former intimacy. But Nabb took as little notice of my 
hard thumps and still harder names, as she had of my 
antics, and was as selfishly as ever engaged with her 
own business. 

My patience was fast exhausting at her disinterested- 
ness, and I was studying what other exercise I should 
take, besides that of riding, to allay the rising difficulties 
of my late repast, when Old Nabb, happening to cast her 



old nabb's race. 125 

left eye upwards, (its fellow was not,) and espying an 
excresence upon her back foreign to this, her day of rest, 
ceased feeding ; and by certain indications not to be mis- 
taken, seemed to take umbrage at such liberties, and at 
once sent her heels high into the air, expecting, no doubt, 
to dislodge me without farther trouble. 

'Oh ho !' said I, 'that's your way, is it? Now try your 
forepaws at that amusement, with a slight push forwards, 
and we shall go ahead.' She was nearly erect before I 
had finished the advice ; and while her forefeet were yet 
from the ground, she leaped forward with a twist and a 
shiver throughout her frame, and came down on all- 
fours at a dead halt, with a jar better remembered than 
liked. This she repeated some half a dozen times in 
such quick succession, that I could barely recover my ba- 
lance between the shocks, which became so systematic, 
that I was no little alarmed lest her intentions were to 
lengthen my legs at the expense of my body, as a punish- 
ment for daring to disturb her at her feedings, this only 
day in the seven in which she could expect to enjoy it to 
advantage. Not that I objected to my legs being made to 
becoming length, yet I could look upon this mode only as 
quite too summary. This was any thing but pleasant to 
her rider ; but I did not say so, still hoping I should yet 
get her at a trot, and be enabled to say whether her gait 
was as singular as her person. 

Old Nabb would again send her heels so high, and 
keep them so long in the air, that I could not account 
for this whimsical choice of position, otherwise than sup- 
posing she had swallowed her late dinner a little too far 
down, and was anxious to give it its desired location, at 
the same time saying, she need not make such a fuss 
about it, as she had not dined o(F of beans, lunched from 
apples, with chestnuts for a desert. Thus affairs went on, 
till finding I could make nothing out of the old creature, I 
concluded I must return home without having my curio- 
sity satisfied as to her running ; and was dismounting in 
11* v.2 



126 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

the regular way, but which she prevented by snapping 
maliciously at my legs. I bethought me of slipping oft' 
behind ; but there were a pair of high-pressure trip-ham- 
mers in operation, not to be trifled with. There was yet 
her blind side that I was determined to profit by, and 
made demonstrations of slily edging that way, when I 
came nigh paying dear for the move, by Old Nabb 
attempting to catch my shoeless foot in her mouth. 

I was unquestionably in a decided bad fix, and had no 
farther dread of greater danger from the chestnuts, if pro- 
fuse sweating and bodily fear be antidotes against over- 
feeding. I now tried a compromise — patted her neck, 
spoke gently, dropped some of the harsher epithets, I had 
been using, left off the Old, and used the plain Nabb 
only ; till at last I found myself adding the by to the 
Nabb ; thus softening it to 'Nabby — whoa, Nabby, — 
gently, Nabby,' but to no purpose, her rage making her 
quite heedless to all such endearing civilities, or else her 
early education had been sadly neglected. 

This by-play was carried on for twenty minutes or half 
an hour, more or less, (computing time was not upper- 
most in my mind,) and while reasoning to myself that 
this contest must have an end, as her latter conduct had 
become decidedly personal, she at once started off' at a 
rapid pace, increasing it as she grew warm, seemingly 
to come into my wishes with much good feelings ; and 
I had already began to promise forgiveness for past 
offences, when I found my seat so unstable, that I aban- 
doned all other thoughts but that of holding on, this 
giving me more than full employment, by my body being 
of the worst possible shape for an equestrian, its altitude 
having nothing to boast over its diameter, with legs to 
match both altitude and diameter. 

Round and around the pastures she went, and turned 
aside for nothing — leaping stones, stumps, holes and every 
thing in her direct path. And such a run ! for if the 
whole of her locomotive powers had lain dormant for the 



old nabb's race. 127 

last forty years she had been living, and had now broken 
forth to be expended in these fifteen minutes run, she 
could not have gone faster. At least so it appeared to 
her rider, for at times I supposed she did not touch the 
ground, but was flying with the velocity of a rocket, while 
trees and objects as quickly flew past in a contrary direc- 
tion, with a fearful rushing, that prevented me seeing any 
thing with a definite vision, except the enraged, frenzied 
beast, on which I was astride. The few objects I was 
enabled to make out, frightened me prodigiously, by 
their seeming to be grinning faces — rocks, stones, stumps, 
branches, and every thing appeared to my fevered fancy 
to be jeering at my involuntary flight. The old mare 
would plunge her head forward to the right at every leap, 
surging it round to the left (keeping her nose in a straight 
line with her neck) with a sort of spiral or twisting mo- 
tion, which was continued throughout her body ; for I 
could plainly perceive a snakelike movement of the 
ridgy and uncomfortable seat, to which I was unfortu- 
nately compelled to cling ; and to it did I cling, and would 
if it had been ten times more uncomfortable than it was. 
My greatest fears were, that our close connection must 
cease ; but the adhesion was tremendous. 

The unusual clatter behind caused me suddenly to 
turn my head in that direction, not knowing but what 
others were engaged, besides ourselves, in this frolic ; 
when I could not help smiling, even in my danger; for 
there were the same spiral, or rather circular movements 
in full operation which were so fascinating in front. Old 
Nabb would slide out her hind legs from left to rio-ht, 
carrying them high over to the starting point, without 
bending a joint from hip to fetlock, while her tail formed 
the centre of the circle made by her heels in their serial 
flight, a fete difficult to describe, but as Chaw-tobacco Joe 
has caught my idea, and is acting up to it to a nicety, 
the mess may admire his agility, while I breathe for a 
moment. He lacks nothing of the gait of Old "Nabb, and 
but little of her figure, except the absense of her tail. 



128 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

This digression was caused by Joe being unable to hold 
in longer; and immediately he was on all fours, pacing 
around the mess table, till some one upset a panniken of 
water upon his head, which had the desired effect of 
bringing him to his senses, when the Doctor continued. 

I beg I may be understood as uttering truth, when I 
say, Old Nabb's run was every thing ungainly to the be- 
holder, and the spiral motion most particularly obnoxious 
to her rider. 

When she had amused herself by making two or three 
circuits around the pastures, for be it known, as my 
amusement ceased, her's increased, till mine was quite 
evaporated by the time her's was fully developed, she all 
at once took a direct course towards a strip of woodland, 
at the farther edge of which lay a ledge of rocks or 
precipice of sufficient height to frighten one in his cool 
moments, if in danger of being forced over, without the 
aid of a previous half hour's peril to magnify the danger 
ten-fold. As we neared the woods, my fears were great 
that I might be brushed off by some one of the low limbs 
of the many trees we had to pass ; although I had full 
reliance on the judgment of Old Nabb, as to her height, 
yet I was somewhat skeptical as to my being taken into 
the account, fearing, in the paroxysm of her rage, she 
prized me no higher than I valued myself, which, for the 
time being, was among: the least of the little ones of all 
created beings. But I undervalued her regard for her 
charge, for she would dodge and squirm between the 
trees, shrink beneath the limbs, or leap the saplings, with 
the ease of a witch upon a charmed broomstick, outvieing 
the fleetest of them in speed. Frequently I supposed the 
trees were dodging out of her way, leaving a clear path 
for the deer-bounds she was making. Said I, mentally, 
'neck or nothing!' — threw out my grapnels, without les- 
sening the former adhesiveness, laid low, and, as we 
approached the precipice, shut my eyes, abandoned 
myself to despair, thinking of the many friends who 



old nabb's race. 129 

would deplore my sad end and mourn my loss, was 
hastily running over in my mind the many casualties that 
had occurred through Sabbath-breaking, when over she 
leaped amid the uprushing air, that whistled through her 
mane and fluttered my garments, by the swiftness with 
which we were descending. For once, a thought sug- 
gested itself that I was mounted upon the flying horse, 
which moved by the rider turning a peg in its fore- 
shoulder, so renowned in eastern romance, and that 
possibly, I might have been mistaken for the prince. I 
felt so anxious to prove the whole to be an error, that, had 
I dared to open my eyes, I certainly should have searched 
for the peg, to give it a contrary turn. — Down, down we 
went, with a light, dreamy, floating sensation, more plea- 
sant than painful, apart from the certainty that bottom was 
below, which would bring us up proportionably harsh, to 
the time taken in reaching it, by the increased velocity 
gained in every foot of our descent. But I did not know 
all the good qualities of my nag ; for she came upon her 
feet with a buoyancy that surprised me, and. with a quick 
bound and easy flight, kept on as furiously as before, 
without a jolt or jar in her steps, or apparently without 
any motion, save that horrible twisting, screwing and 
shivering, which was more painful to the body, than the 
fear of being killed proved terrible to the mind. 

I began to breathe again, which I had not done, to my 
best recollection, for the last five minutes, having some 
faint hopes that I should be spared this time. I was 
making many promises for my future good conduct, and 
had commenced saying the Lord's Prayer aloud, when 
my good intentions and pious ejaculations were both cut 
short, by Old Nabb concluding to stop, which she did 
instanter, on reaching; a five-barred fence. Not being: so 
hasty in my conclusions, I kept on — not on her back, but 
on my journey, for over and over ] went, in my shrunk- 
up figure, and had not a friendly stump intervened to 
'stop that ball,' I might still have been rolling. When I 



130 MESS TABLE CHIT-CHAT. 

came to myself, I was astride of the trunk of the tree, 
from the limb of which I had fallen in my sleep, hugging 
for very life, with both legs and arms, thinking still I 
was on the back of my tormentor, when I was most 
sensibly convinced to the contrary, by the heavy licks I 
was receiving from a stout birchen rod, in the hands of 
old grandad, who, happening to pass through the pasture 
on his return from meeting, and espying me at what 
he supposed apeing his manner of riding, began laying 
on most lustily, 'for cutting my heathenish capers of a 
Sunday.' 

'Then you didn't ride at all,' asked Tiger Josh. 

'Unless you call straddling a limb riding.' 

'Well, 'twas all a dream then ?' 

'Except the thrashing, which I found to be a reality.' 

'Why didn't you say so at first, and save my neck from 
the j irk it received when you went over the precipice.' 

'If the going over the precipice was as serious to your 
neck, as the fall from the limb proved painful to my 
bones, you are to be pitied.' 

'How came on your fit of indigestion V 

'Oh, either the sweat in my dream, the fall from the 
tree, or the race which followed to keep clear of the old 
man's rod, made me forget I had eaten too much, and left 
me in prime order for the supper, which was awaiting me, 
when I arrived at the house.' 

'You must have been a precious big feeder, or now 
been stuffing the mess with a pack of ' 

The sharp rap, rap, rap ! from the Doctor's marlinspike, 
prevented the speaker from using a profanity, and saved 
him from the infliction of a fine. 



131 
CHAP. VII. 

WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

I had, soon after entering the prisons, taken a general 
survey of the location, plan, construction, and many other 
particulars of the buildings ; but as the district was con- 
tinually enveloped in a dense fog, it entirely prevented 
me from forming any correct idea of the cardinal points ; 
and if I had been questioned upon the subject, probably I 
might have given as sage, if not as safe, an answer, as did 
the lout at his lessons, when asked which was east? — 'if 
this be south, this west, and this north, why this must be 
east, of course.' But I had not the advantage the scholar 
possessed, (he took the right starting point, but the wrong 
direction around the circle ;) and if I had, no doubt I 
might have gone round to the same left-handed conclu- 
sion. However, in my own mind, I had satisfactorily 
fixed this important affair, and taken my bearings accord- 
ingly, as to the location of the Depot and topography of 
the district, what little I had seen of it. 

One morning it was early announced the weather was 
fine, and the sun would rise with a clear horizon, a cir- 
cumstance unusual, and which had not occurred since my 
arrival, neither had it shone out once since the day I first 
set foot on the shores of old England. I with others were 
early moving to enjoy a view of the surrounding scenery, 
as well as the sun rising, which to me has always been 
a sight peculiarly interesting. 

The sun rose clear and beautiful, shedding its cheer- 
ing rays through a transparent atmosphere, alike upon the 
free and the captive, cheering the many with its smiling 
face and genial warmth, imparting comfort to all except 
me ; — this was not my sun — my sun had always risen in 
the east, but this came boldly up from the west, with its 
brazen face, as much as to say it was where it should be, 



132 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

maugre all my dislike to the contrary. I tried every 
expedient either to bring the sun to the east or the east 
to the sun ; I whirled round and round till dizzied, with 
my eyes shut ; counted the paving stones at my feet, in 
the compass of a square yard, called myself a fool, (one 
rational idea,) and at last I so far succeeded, after an 
hour's bufferings, to make an impression upon the sun, 
that I perceived it was moving towards the point I was 
expecting to see it when rising. In the west it rose, and 
at the opposite point it set in the evening, after taking the 
northern ramble as unpleasant to my sight, as it proved 
unnatural to my senses. So it rose, and so it continued 
to rise during my sojourn in Dartmoor, a trifling circum- 
stance, but one that annoyed me exceedingly. I was 
ever striving in vain to brins; ray mind aright, as to where 
were the true points of the compass, and always suppos- 
ing, in sun-shine or fog, the east to be west, and the north 
to be south ; an annoyance second only to the 'man with 
the farthing candle,' and which was of longer continu- 
ance ; with this slight difference, however, that the one 
worried the mind to an exciting distraction, whilst the 
other teazed the body to an itching irritability. There is 
a homely saying, 'little minds and little things are near 
akin,' and lest by longer dwelling upon this trifle, it shall 
prompt the reader to apply the adage to the writer, we 
will drop the subject, and nib the pen to scratch at other 
matters partaking more of the narrative. 

The mess that 1 had joined, was decidedly of a business 
turn, having for months been catering to the public's taste, 
by preparing a palatable mixture of potatoes, meat, onions, 
pepper and salt, stewed to a half-mush, half-soup consis- 
tency, dealt out to cash customers, at a penny a pint, 
under the classical name of friego. 

In the course of its preparation, to the members was 
allotted each their portion of duty, as follows : Irish Pat 
and Well-bred Jim attended to the purchasing of the 
potatoes, coal, and other necessary articles for its manu- 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 133 

facture, in the market. Pat received his appointment for 
his superior judgment of the principal ingredient in its 
composition, as well as for the blarney he could bring 
to his aid in cheapening them ; while Jim was chosen 
mainly for his ugliness ; for any one would willingly part 
with a bag of potatoes at half price, rather than cavil face 
to face with him of the. blotched nose. Jim was an inva- 
luable messmate in this particular. Black Tom and Little 
Nap attended to the cooking, which was always done out- 
side the building in the yard, without respect to weather. 
The Doctor dealt out the soup, whilst I collected the pen- 
nies. This dignified post was assigned me, on account of 
my ill health, not yet being able to venture out doors in 
bad weather. 

The mess in preparing the largest kettle of soup, which 
kept all hands, with the selling, a good half of the day, 
were well content to share two or three pence each, to- 
gether with a bowl of the friego, for the labour they had 
been at. None were allowed to take a spoonful, nor touch 
the proceeds, until the first cost of the article, in money, 
was secured to the general fund, (to which I had contri- 
buted my quota when first entering the mess,) when the 
remainder was equally distributed among them every 
night, to do with it as each thought proper. When 
business was brisk, we made two kettles per day. 

Our second had been sold out on a Saturdav evening, 
the surplus distributed as above, and the 'solid capital' 
was put into the hands of the two before mentioned, for 
them to lay in the stock of potatoes and coal as usual, 
early on the following Monday morning, from the outward 
market, no business transaction being allowed on the 
Sabbath. The next day, Sunday, Pat and Jim, the co- 
treasurers, fell in with some of their old shipmates, who, 
like themselves, had seen much service, and who took 
great pleasure in recounting the ups and downs they had 
passed through. From 'fighting their battles' o'er and o'er 
again,' the subject changed to the many frolickings they 
12 v.2 



134 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

had been partakers of and enjoyed together, each one 
bringing forward and fancifully displaying to the circle 
his former 'shore cruisings,' whetting appetites that re- 
quired no farther sharpening, after an abstinencg of years, 
till they pronounced it dry work — sailing without log 
or compass — to talk of the past, was tantalizing, and to 
bring up the shadows of what had been, without the 
reality of enjoyment, was suicidal in the extreme. At 
last they made up their minds, to have just enough to wet 
their whistles, if for nothing else, than that they should 
not forget its use and good qualities, when they again 
might be in a situation to partake of it without stint. 
Accordingly, a bottle of spirits was obtained from one 
of the genteeler eating tables, at the moderate price of six 
shillings. This did not reach half around the circle of 
those intended to be regaled by its cheering properties, 
but was sufficient to stimulate them to another and another 
encounter with the enemy, making captures at each dash, 
and doing deeds of valour worthy the occasion and the 
circle at the board. Well-bred Jim, who never did things 
scurvily, commemorated each victory by lavishly plying 
the conquering heroes with rum, went the entire figure, 
rewarded the victors according to their merits, sent for 
bottle after bottle, till the capital of the mess was ex- 
hausted, when the convivial party broke up most beastly 
corned. 

The next morning, for a wonder, the sun rose clear, but 
no cheer was at our mess table. Our early, best, and 
most valuable customers had to look elsewhere for their 
morning's bowl of hot friego. But few questions were 
asked, and meagre as unvaried were the answers given, 
all knew the concern had failed, that it was broken — the 
mess was not worth a copper. 

Now came the sneers, the inuendoes, the insinuating 
looks, hints of dishonesty, nodding of heads, tongue-thrust- 
ins: grimace, finger and nose phraseology ; far more cutting 
to men of 'high reputations and fine feelings,' than the 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 135 

loss of the money, if left, as we were, without the possi- 
bility of rebutting by pamphleteering. 

'Whose mess is it now, with a doctor at its head, that 
can sell more and better friego, than any other in prison 
No. 5 r' said one near b) r , who was in the same line of 
business, in tones to suffice he was not talking to himself. 
'It's borrowed capital they have been working on ; well 
may they've sold cheap, given full measure, seasoned 
high, and furnished bowls and spoons in the bargain,' said 
another in the profession, who, had his business been 
as firm as his voice, need show no exultation at broken 
houses. 

The cheapness now is all in their hang-dog looks, for 
thev will never a^ain either raise the wind or lessen the 
price by a show of respectability ; but will have to look 
elsewhere for employment, or be content with what they 
draw daily from the cook-house, like others who are more 
honest than themselves.' 

'Why, Dick Wallace, what do you know about large 
concerns, their riches are never known till they fail.' 
'You mean, 'unavoidable stoppages for a time.' ' 
'Yes, when 'tis meant to lull suspicions.' 
'How think you, will they compound with their cre- 
ditors, or settle as they best can make their bargain.'' 

'Their bargainings are done, as are their tradings. I'd 
advise them to petition for a redress of grievances, as the 
cook did when he complained that the sow had run her 
nose into the dough, made for the skipper's dumplings, 
and got a dozen for not keeping a better look out, 
seasoned with two more for entering the complaint.' 
'Pete Lollard, ahoy!' 

'Hallo, Sol. Ranger!' answered Pete, from a distance, to 
the one hailing him. 

'Have you seen a rotten, water-logged lugger, drifting 
about in your latitude, without compass or rudder, who 
has a land-lubber set on board, that call their captain a 
doctor:' 



136 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

'I never trouble my head about such trash ; they are 
good sailors in fair weather, but wait till a stiff breeze 
comes on — they will go to leeward faster than did the 
Spaniard, who, when made to walk the plank, asked as 
he was drifting by, if no one was to keep him company.' 
'These fellows can keep each other's company, but 
hang me for a trooper, if I think they can find genteel 
society to shelter under any longer.' 

'According to modern usage, they are now justly fitted 
for the higher ranks.' 

'They hereafter will smell rank of poverty, or I'll lose 
my guess.' 

'Ah, hah ! ya, yah ! bread and tar ! who now can set 
hours at their meals, making slop-tubs of their bellies, 
and braying asses of their throats, while their betters are 
walking to forget that their bread bag is empty, or are 
compelled to swing in their hammocks, till the washer- 
woman can make it fair weather.' This came from a 
head lolled out of a hammock within sight, whose neck, 
by its deep bronze, showed it was proof against all 
weathers. 

'Their Sunday suits they will soon run up the spout, 
for to break off at once from full allowance, will be harder 
for their bellies, than to miss their go-to-meeting clothes, 
will for their backs.' 

None of the mess regretted the loss of its capital more 
than the two who had spent it, after they came to their 
senses. But not an angry w r ord did they receive from 
the other members, for the inconvenience and disgrace 
which they had brought upon the concern, by their want 
of self-denial. Irish Pat sold off every thing that he 
could possibly spare, and gave the proceeds to those who 
had suffered by his indiscretions. Well-bred Jim was 
bare of every thing in the way of clothing, except the 
served-out suit before spoken of, which was spare enough 
in all conscience, and remained with him without any 
demurring against it. 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 137 

Each of the prisons, with the exception of No. 4, 
occupied by the blacks, was under the direction of a 
committee of twelve, chosen by the inmates from among 
themselves. Before this committee came all matters of 
dispute, which could not be settled by the parties with 
whom they originated. Their decisions were law, that 
could not be appealed from. These men, in their muni- 
cipal capacities, never had the least opposition shown to 
their mandates, by the friends of the accused, why exe- 
cution should not follow the conviction of the parties im- 
plicated in any charge brought against them ; nine-tenths 
being anxious and willing to lend their assistance, that the 
regulations and laws of the prisons, which were open for 
the inspection of all, should be respected. None could 
plead ignorance of their existence more than once. They 
were short, simple, and easily to be understood, and 
chiefly related to the cleanliness of the interior of the 
buildings, and the defining each one's rights, besides 
being directed to many other particulars of little interest 
to the reader. 

When any important measure was to be adopted, the 
prisoners were asked by the common crier, after being 
notified of the same, with 'aye, or nay.' If the majority 
of the voices was largely on one side or the other, the 
proposition went no farther, and by consent it became a 
law, or it was thrown aside. 

The severest punishment instituted was whipping with 
the cat, as on board of men-of-war ; and the greatest num T 
ber of lashes I saw given upon any one culprit at a 
time, was two dozen. Theft was a crime the most fre- 
quently committed, and none ever escaped being punished 
when convicted of the offence. 

Soon after my entrance into the prisons, a man was 
taken up for having on a shirt which another claimed 
as belonging to him. The wearer of the garment stoutly 
denied the knowledge of its being stolen, said he had 
bought it from a lad, whom he could recognize, were 

1Q# v -) 



138 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

time given him. This was always granted, and more 
especially when the one charged with an offence stood 
fair in character, without his giving bail, or being locked 
up, which is certainly an improvement upon our present 
mode — to lock up first for some three or four months, 
only to call the one accused into court for the judges to 
say to him, we can find nothing criminal against you ; 
your character stands fair, only the late incarceration 
will blast your reputation in every court in Christendom, 
where it will speedily be known through the medium 
of the numerous reporters and publishers. 

The next day, the man that was accused brought up 
the lad of whom he had bought the shirt, who, after 
being interrogated, acknowledged the theft, said he had 
sold the shirt for a shilling, to buy bread, to satisfy the 
cravings of his hunger. The keenness of his appetite 
being so great, he could not withstand the temptation of a 
hot roll ; thus running the risk of a degrading punish- 
ment for a momentary gratification of his appetite. 

The boy was about sixteen years of age, a period in 
youth when the desire for food is the greatest, and was 
of an interesting and amiable appearance. He could 
say nothing for himself, not even beg to be dealt easily 
with, but shed his tears freely. The by-standers sympa- 
thized deeply, not only by words and looks, but in the 
right way to prove their zeal in his cause, by the offer of 
each his shilling to the owner of the shirt, who gene- 
rously disclaimed both money and shirt ; saying he be- 
lieved after all he had been labouring under a mistake, 
for the one he lost had a broad stripe with two narrow 
ones by its side, while this, as all could see, had a couple 
of white threads through the centre of the broad stripe. 

'Recollect, you are on your oath ; is this the shirt you 
lost, now found upon this man, who has traced it to the 
lad that stole it, or is it not the one ?' 

The owner, when thus hard pressed, reluctantly ac- 
knowledged the shirt was his. 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 139 

'Very well ; however unpleasant the task, the laws 
must be enforced, or we shall soon have no protection to 
look to, but each his own strength. Unless we can find 
some flaw in the indictment, the prisoner here must suffer 
the full penalty of the law for his misconduct.' 

Now followed a course of pleadings (all were allowed 
to plead who chose) that would not disgrace any court, if 
doubling, turning, twisting, making wrong appear right, 
and so contrariwise, be evidence of intellectual power and 
technical discrimination, each striving to outdo what others 
had done before, by his persuasive eloquence — sometimes 
to the subject, but as often on a narrative excursion among 
the coral reefs, in territories belonging to some imaginary 
sea-god, nymph, or monster, till brought to his reckoning 
by the rap of the judge's mallet, when the speaker would 
return to his subject, or give place to another not inferior 
to him in zeal and motive — to lengthen the trial, or tire 
the judges, to induce them to grant a respite or full 
pardon. 

Some one of the committee generally conducted the 
prosecution, a berth of as little comfort as emolument; 
for the advocates of the accused looked upon the prose- 
cuting attorney in no other light than as an oppressor 
of the unfortunate, and would let no opportunity slip 
whereby they could annoy or vex him, by cracking their 
jokes at his expense. The more he winced under the 
shafts of their ridicule, with the greater zest would they 
ply him with what he so much disliked. It often re- 
quired no little forbearance on the part of the prosecutor 
to keep his temper, but should he momentarily be thrown 
off his reserve, at some taunting expression or some cut- 
ing sarcastic rebuke, and display anger, woe was it to 
him, for the surrounding laugh was enough encourage- 
ment for the joker to ply his cut-and-thrust sayings, in 
seaman's phraseology, 'treble laid in with a back-handed 
fling.' 

Upon the examination of the log, I find but one whose 



140 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

pleadings are sufficiently legible to be made out, and even 
these are in part defaced, showing but the poorest portion of 
the whole ; for time, like mortals, is envious, and as often 
obliterates the °;ood as the bad. The man whose arsru- 
ments I am striving to make legible, stood high with his 
messmates for his open generosity, happy-go-lucky dispo- 
sition, and free-and-easy knack of rolling out odd sayings, 
with a volubility as spontaneous as it was unlaboured; 
having reached that desirable station in the life of a joker, 
when all he uttered was received as sterling ; — be it ever 
so stale or flat, the laugh was cordially given, and he 
encouraged to continue. After removing his tarpaulin, 
adjusting his waistbands to an ease with his attitude, 
and throwing his fine, manly, good-humoured counte- 
nance over the surrounding crowd, receiving naught 
but encouraging smiles in return, he began : 

'Shipmates, I hate deceit as a monkey does taking snuff 
forcibly ; but you hear what the skipper says, that unless 
we can find a flaw (that is, worm-eaten, rotten, good for 
nothing,) in the indictment, this poor boy must come to 
the gratings. This lingo means, likewise, if there be 
meaning in it, that black's the white o' me eye, or that 
grog is grog, when served out by the steward, whether 
rummed or not. This needs no comment, for the lowest 
waister rated upon the ship's books, knows the difference 
between the one thing needful, a real nor-nor-wester, and 
slops. But in an affair of this kind, a fellow must chew 
his own tongue, (if so be it will help the suckling out of 
his troubles,) by saying things he would not take his 
Bible oath as to their truth, and yaw a little from the 
instructions of the chaplain, trusting to chance to salve it 
over afterwards. However, I shall endeavour to make a 
clear chart, straight wake, without veering to larboard or 
starboard ; and yet hope to save the boy's back, that deli- 
cate back — white, fair and smooth, as the deck of a newly 
launched yacht, as tender and ticklish as — as — as — a — 
zounds ! that niggur has done nothing but stare me in 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 141 

the face, since I began my persuasions, as though I was 
a Mandarin in go-ashore toggle, or a figure-head taking 
the sun with the kedge anchor — stretching his nostrils to 
the size of a three-decker's hawse-holes, making use of 
them instead of his ears, the gommuck. That ever the 
Lord should let monkeys grow to man's size, and learn 
them to talk.' 

The judge here cut short this philippic against the 
African race, by begging the gentleman pleader to con- 
fine himself to his subject. 

'It is not so easy for one to keep a clear log, while 
jabbering is going on ; and all the gabbling in creation, 
braced up with the chattering of an acre of baboons, each 
goaded on by a Frenchified whelp, who lives by dealing 
out so many yards of cross-grained jaw-tackle per minute, 
are not equal to the looks of that niggur. Why, they 
would put out the priming of a gun when half burnt ; 
aye, stop thunder coming from the clouds, with nothing 
to hang to but its own freight, and make a man turn^nside 
out, to avoid being recognized in the same latitude where 
such liver-chops sail. As I was saying, when brought up 
with a round turn by the beauties of yonder figure-head, 
(may he grill hereafter for the want of manners, while 
among his betters,) it is as easy to prove the indictment 
false, (may he be bleached white in a northern frost, and 
roasted black with a tropical sun, every half hour the rest 
of his days,) as it is to prove that pursers are dishonest, 
(may he know his own ugliness, with the privilege of 
blushing, and have double allowance of shame,) for a 
purser is no purser, (or be turned white and not know 
it,) unless he cheats ; and so a lawyer is no lawyer, unless 
he blunders ; and a blundering, thick-skulled dunderhead 
he must have been, who drew up this indictment; (aye, 
let him be soused chin-deep in the best of fourth proof, 
without the sense of taste or smell ;) and now that I have 
reeled off a few of the outer strands, which the rascal had 
slimed with his gommucky looks, I am done. 



U2 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

'The indictment says, the boy 'took the shirt.' You, or 
the most of you, know what a shirt is — yet some of your 
collars tell a sad tale of the high price of soap. 'Took the 
shirt ; sold it for a shilling ;' — a fair exchange, and shows 
he can take care of number one by-and-bye. Would you 
have the lad eat the shirt — the cotton-striped shirt — a 
worthless shirt, the owner declares he will not have ; 
why, he would have found it as tough as the staggering 
marine did the canvas trousers, that he took a slice from, 
when mistaking the soak-tub for the captain's tripe-pot, 
saying, after chewing it a half hour, 'it never will pay one 
fot the trouble, let alone the after-clap.' Yet the shirt is 
of value beyond the means of this crowd to purchase, 
as you have seen, and is like to make the back warm it 
never yet has covered. 

'The indictment says plainly, that the boy took the shirt, 
but it does not say, he stole it. Suppose I carelessly open 
my snuff box in this way, and in passing it around, my 
worthy friend the prosecutor dips in and takes a sneezer, 
just to let others see, that his politeness will not allow any 
thing to pass him without his taking toll ; would that be 
stealing ? About as much as the anchor stock warping 
up and hugging the cat-head would be courting.' 

The prosecuting attorney, the while, has dipped into 
the box, in the avaricious way of all confirmed snuff 
takers, has taken enough to satisfy one of moderate appe- 
tite, for a week's snuffing, and is forcing it into his nostrils, 
to be in readiness for a second pinch while the snuff is 
within reach, before he discovers the box, as well as his 
nose is filled with pepper. To divert the attention of the 
crowd from his stinging nose, he bounces up — 

'I beg the gentleman pleader will confine himself to 
the subject before him, and not fly off from the — achee ! 
chee ! argu — achee — ment ; it is as unbecoming to — 
achee! the assembly here, as — achee, chee! to himself; 
and it grieves me, achee ! to tell him, he — achee ! is a 
scoundrel.' 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 143 

'I am glad the prosecutor is grieved at any thing ; (his 
tears prove his sincerity — his words go for nothing,) for 
grief is near akin to a tender heart, and, maybe, he will 
try no more to get the boy flogged. Yet, I hope he does 
not always show his grief in the way he is now going on, 
for he forcibly reminds me of an old he goat, we had on 
board of the Royal — ' 

'You must confine your remarks to the trial before us, 
and not indulge in these flights,' said the judge, who had 
became tired of this tedious debate. 

'I will do so in future, if its only to oblige you, although 
you have spoilt a good story, which will make your dreams 
none the pleasanter, if there be any truth in the saying 
of Old Moll, the scrubber, who was a bit of a fortune 
teller — 'mar a joke, in dreams you'll choke.' While you 
are confining other people to their sailing directions, just 
remind the prosecutor, that his nose is not of so much 
consequence, as to keep the w r hole crowd in a tumult ; 
and tell him unless he shakes the sneeze out, he is now- 
trying to hold back, his face will become set, without 
improving his appearance, any more than standing on her 
head did the cow's when she was primming for a sweet- 
heart.' 

'Your^remarks are irrelevant, and I call upon you to 
stop,' said the prosecutor with evident displeasure. 

' 'I would have stopped long ago, only for the respect 
I have for your goodly presence,' as the cod said to the 
shark, when invited to stay and take pot-luck with him.' 

'I say again, your remarks are too personal; and I 
feel—' 

'As the marine did, after getting his two dozen, when 
he made the same observation to the boatswain, who 
tickled him ; but like him you can't wipe it off.' 

"Took the shirt.' Now many are the prizes I have 
assisted in taking, yet does any one here dare say, / 
ever stole 1 (throwing off his roundabout, with a savage 
fierceness of aspect, and exhibiting heavy breathing ; but 



144 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

whether on account of the warmth of the weather, of 
his argument, or to be in readiness for the answer to his 
last high toned , query, was not known.) If you can 
make stealing out of taking, I shall set you down as no 
better than the captain and first lieutenant of the Royal 
Tiger, a crack seventy-four, who never showed her stern 
to an enemy, and whose main-top captain was as much 
like me in make and disposition, as I am like — myself; 
(bowing to the right and left, but acknowledged nothing 
in his front, as the niggur had again, unawares, worked 
before him.) Our captain was for giving the men a trial 
and then the flogging, whether guilty or not, as it would 
establish the discipline of the ship ; while the lieutenant 
said it was shorter to flog first, when the men would 
acknowledge their guilt, after they had nothing farther 
to dread, and thus save the trouble of the trial ; so 
between the two, a precious few ever escaped being 
punished.' 

The prosecuting attorney said, as he was leaning to the 
side of mercy, he had no arguments to offer; but should 
set the learned advocate aright, by saying, the indictment 
read, 'feloniously took;' which placed quite a different 
complexion upon its meaning, to what his very ingenious 
friend upon the other side had been labouring iq impress 
upon the minds of the judges, and he hoped his worthy 
opponent in future would not be so careless in his 
readings. 

'Very well ; I stand corrected,' said the pleader, 'as I 
often have done when under more restraint and in worse 
company, no disrespects, however, to my worthy supe- 
riors on board of the Royal Tiger. Fe-lon-i-ous-ly, felo- 
niously. Now the prosecutor shows malice, and smacks 
too much of my former captain, else he would not join 
in words, which no one can understand ; and hang me for 
a Hottentot, if I think he knows what he means himself. 
That's the way of these sharks ; they first hand-cuff a 
man's ideas with hard w'ords, then lambaste him for not 
following suit, and afterwards make him pay the piper. 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 145 

'The few closing remarks are just to show his meaning. 
Fe — is the month's advance these chaps claim for dealing 
out jaw-tackle: — Ion — the destitute situation of the pri- 
soner at the bar; as much as to say, he has no friends 
here, which is a scandal to this good company, worthy an 
after-consideration; — i is used in various ways; but here, 
no doubt, it is intended to prop up the two a-larboard and 
a-starboard of it, or mayhap it should be spliced to the 
next word, but comes up to it as awkwardly as the 
poll-parrot did, when she mounted a tarpaulin, sported 
a pigtail, straddled the sailor trousers, and tried to squirt 
tobacco juice, saying, 'how hard to take on new habits ;' — 
ous is the last of a righteous cause, which he has nothing 
to do with ; — ly is coming it a little too strong in so well 
ordered a company as is this; but whether he means it 
for me, or takes it to himself, he has the wisdom not to 
say. Had I the least thimble of suspicion it was intended 
for me, nothing less than a ball-alley scrimmage would 
come out of it ; for I take the lie from no man, no set 
of men, no body of men, on this eternal globe, if I do. 
may I be ' 

'No profane language can be allowed here,' said the 
judge, hastily rapping; and permit me to say, we are 
not all deaf.' 

'Your stopper was just in time to keep me from being 
indecent; but when a man's veracity is hinted at, he is as 
apt to run otF the reel too fast, as he is sure to pitch his 
voice to a hailing key.' 

'I think I have made it plain to this assembly, that the 
boy only took the shirt, that taking is not stealing, that 
no one wants the shirt, or wishes the boy flogged, that the 
prosecutor is blood-thirsty, and that I have fully done my 
duty : if not — then the Mediterranean is a frog-pond, the 
Royal Tiger a birch log, Tom Clunet a tadpole, steering 
with a bulrush, sipping sea-water with a clam shell and 
callinsr it 2rog.' 

The pleadings were lengthened to gain the boy respite, 
13 v.2 



146 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

till much of the day was consumed, and shortly the 
darkness would have compelled the judge to call for 
lights, had not a generous tar stepped forward, and said, 
without any show of rhetoric, but much feeling: 

'I know what it must come to, for I have seen such 
things in the navy ; when a fellow is there put on trial, 
he might as well take the punishment at once, for all the 
pleadings in the universe won't save his back ;— it's flum- 
mery to think of it. Now what I was going to say is 
this ; if it's all the same to the judges and the boy, I will 
take the two dozen intended for his delicate back, so say 
no more about it, but lather away ; with all your law, I 
doubt if you can see whether there will be two dozen 
more or two dozen less stripes afterwards on mine, for 
the scoring it has received during the last sixteen years, 
all for good behaviour.' 

This was a poser; none could plead more effectually, 
or exhibit more argumentative feelings ; but the offer was 
not accepted, although repeated the next morning after 
the lad was tied to the gratings. The boy was sentenced 
to receive the customary number of two dozen lashes j 
but on account of his extreme youth, and this being his 
first offence, one-half of the sentence was remitted. 

At the hour appointed, he was led out, triced up, his 
back bared, and he stood ready to receive the penalty of his 
indiscretion, for a harsher name none could give this un- 
fortunate mishap of the trembling boy. While the offence 
was reading, as well as the sentence, I could not but feel 
the most poignant sorrow for that poor lad, as did others 
who were standing around, as could be seen by their 
silent, downcast looks alone, for not a word or whisper 
was spoken during the time of the necessary ceremony, 
among the thousands that were looking on. The back 
was bared to the cold blasts of a February morning, as 
probably never before exposed since the boy came from 
the lap of his mother; he stood, quivering in flesh, alike 
from the chill of the atmosphere, and the agonizing 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 147 

thought of being momentarily bleeding under the lash of 
the whip. 

At the first blow blood was drawn ; but before a second 
could be given, the high-toned, authoritative voice of 
Captain Trowbridge, the commissioner appointed to see 
the punishment carried into effect, was heard — 

'Hold on! what bungler is that with the cat? Give it 
to one who knows how to strike. The Turk — worse than 
a devil, to plant such a blow in the back of such a boy.' 
The latter part of the sentence was in an undertone, as 
if to himself. Half a dozen jumped forwards, whose 
mildness of looks showed they knew how to strike. One 
was chosen, who asked what the count was ; 'five,' said 
Captain Trowbridge, whose memory at times was not the 
best, especially when his duty came in contact with his 
feelings, as on the present occasion. The next blows 
'six, seven, nine, eleven, and twelve,' completed the 
punishment, with scarcely a reddening of the skin, so 
lightly were they applied, compared to the first. 

After the boy was released, the by-standers began to 
banter the broad-shouldered champion of the day pre- 
vious, saying he would not have come off so slightly, 
had his offer been taken, but that he would have been 
dealt harder with. 'Hard or soft,' said he, ' I will at 
any time take a dozen for a shilling.' The shilling was 
tendered ; he stripped, and was in the place at the grat- 
ings, triced up to where the boy had so lately been, in 
less time than it has taken to record it. But his predic- 
tions proved true. No one could tell that an additional 
dozen of stripes had been added to his before welted 
back ; for, of the four who handled the cat, none could 
roughen the skin. The counting the cuts upon this hired 
one, were as erroneous as they had been with the boy ; 
with this slight difference, however, that what the boy 
lacked of his allowance, was added to the back of this 
old stager, both as to number and tightness, without his 
ever flinching, except once trying to kick sideways at 
the flower 'for the baker's dozen he was throwing in.' 



DO 



148 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

There resided among the blacks a pair of worthies, who 
after being kicked out of the other prisons for their un- 
ruly behaviour, could lodge nowhere else, and they had 
to submit to such restriction as Big Dick, in his cle- 
mency, chose to put upon them. They were always sus- 
pected of being the greatest thieves among the Rough 
Alleys, and ever stood head to that gang of rowdies. 
The one was a German, while the other hailed from any 
and all places most convenient for the time being ; both 
were small of stature, exceedingly active, and could speak 
fluently, or so as to be well understood, several languages. 
Sodom and Gomorrah, the name they went by, in lieu 
of the dozen aliases each boasted of possessing, and al- 
ways spoken of as a firm, (from their never being apart,) 
w : ere ever rioting, pilfering, or gleaning from the market 
baskets of the vegetable sellers. Still they possessed 
cunning enough to escape the punishment they so justly 
deserved. They had never yet been convicted of any 
criminal offence, although frequently brought to trial; for 
they had the faculty, when hard pressed, by the aid of 
accomplices or friends belonging to their gang, of bring- 
ing the stolen articles to light, without being implicated 
in the theft, and not unfrequently by hard swearing, 
making the innocent suffer for misdeeds committed by 
themselves. 

A Jew was called to the lower side of the market, by 
his eagerness for traffic, and took his stand next to the 
gratings, on the other side of which was a knot of these 
Rough Alleys. He was speedily driving a heavy busi- 
ness, by the sale of his numerous wares and merchan- 
dise, when at once he felt his watch pulled from his 
fob, and but barely had a glimpse at its passage through 
the gratings, as it disappeared among the crowd of row- 
dies with whom he was trading, at the thrifty rate of two 
hundred per cent, advance on first cost. 

The hue and cry was immediately raised, that a jew- 
elled watch of great value was stolen, and echoed through 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 149 

the yards and prisons, to their remotest corners, and by 
none more loudly than the Rough Alley gang who had 
taken it. This was a theft casting a stigma upon the 
whole of the prisoners, as it was quickly known outside 
the walls, that a trader in the market had been robbed, 
while peaceably at his vocation. Each one of the pri- 
soners in his own capacity, as did the committees in their 
corporate bodies, set about rinding the stolen watch, and 
if possible ferreting out the thief or thieves, with a firm 
determination, when found, their punishment should be 
public, that others might know such criminal conduct 
was not countenanced by any except those who partici- 
pated in it. After two days hard searchings, the first sup- 
position was almost brought to a certainty, that Sodom 
and Gomorrah were the perpetrators of the theft, although 
the watch could not be found upon their persons. 

On the third day, however, the committee got upon 
a trail that pressed these worthies hard, and when sur- 
rounded by a crowd, the watch was thrust into the pos- 
session of one of them by some person unseen. Enough 
was proved afterwards to pin it upon the above two, 
who from the first were supposed to be the thieves. 
After a short trial, none standing forward in their defence, 
and they themselves offering none, they were found guiltv, 
sentenced to be taken into the market with their wrists 
tied, delivered to the market women, and by them pun- 
ished, as they in their clemency might see proper. None 
were allowed to interfere, except such as were appointed 
to attend punishments, and these only to see that no man 
aided, abetted or interfered with the women in their 
doings. The crier was ordered to promulgate the same 
abroad, and he took especial care the garrison should have 
a chance of knowing what was to be done, as well as the 
prisoners within the walls. 

They were led out amidst the rejoicings of thousands, 
for this theft had caused much excitement, and none were 
sorrv that these two fellows had to bear the penaltv of it. 
13* v.2 



150 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

As the culprits were delivered into the hands of their 
female executioners, the women were given to under- 
stand more fully, why they were brought into the square ; 
with a hint, sufficiently audible to be heard throughout 
the market — 'for all those, who, at any time, has lost 
ought, by the pilferings of these or their companions, 
to now come forward, take their due, or forever after 
hold their peace and complaints ; — whatever ye do unto 
these two, ye do to the whole gang, for these are their 
chiefs.' Their followers were proud in being so well 
represented, but did not say so out of their own imme- 
diate circle. Were all heads of factions to take the 
lambastings their constituents deserve, no doubt there 
would be less office-seekers, and a less number ambitious 
to become great. But unfortunately the reverse is the 
case ; for now-a-days, constituents have to bear the fault- 
finding for the misdeeds of their representatives, and 
pay them lavishly for their misdoings. 

The reader will excuse the digression, as it was merely 
to give the women time to strip the shirts of these men 
upwards, as they skinned their rabbits whole, for market, 
till the sleeves and collar prevented them from going 
farther. The lower part of the shirt was twisted to a knot, 
forming a bag for the head, and held fast by an amazon of 
the strength of a giant. In this way they were hauled 
over a bench, bent down, held fast at both ends, their 
backs stretched as a blank sheet, for each that had lost, 
or supposed she might lose from her stock of marketable 
wares, to note down her sum total in such figures as she 
was accustomed to use. 

Unfortunately for Sodom and Gomorrah, these blessings 
to man claimed no distinction to learning, and could make 
their entries in no way, except the good old one — that of 
making their marks ; neither were they at all fastidious in 
what they used in inscribing their dues, each catching that 
which was nearest at hand, a riding whip, a shoe, a bunch 
of radishes, cellery, or a pair of dressed fowls, whose legs 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 151 

were of sufficient length to give them the desired swing; 
every thing moveable was brought into requisition to aid 
in the flagellation, till a climax was put upon this ridicu- 
lous scene, by an old virago in her haste pouncing upon 
a weapon, that proved treacherous to the hand that was 
wielding it. This more man than woman, both as to dress 
and deportment — in fisherman's boots and jacket, a cast- 
oft' dragoon's cap, minus its front, unclipt beard of six 
week's growth — had made the campaigns of India, been 
kicked out of the army in Spain for her unblushing im- 
moralities, and, as the last resort, had turned fishmonger, 
makino- herself notorious here as a brawlins: dealer in stale 
fish. This old stager used to boast, that she knew Lord 
Wellington before he 'know'd a hawk from a handsaw, in 
a military way, for I put him in a way to be a general, a 
real general!' Whether so or not, I shall not pretend to 
say ; but if true, his biographers show but little gratitude 
for his early instructress, as do the English nation for the 
neglect of this mainspring that set the wires in motion, 
which caused the downfall of Napoleon, that snag to Eng- 
land's supremacy for a quarter of a century. Another 
proof that republics are not alone ungrateful. 

After using up a string of fish from her own stall, over 
the backs of these unfortunates, this old she-wolf seized 
upon the neck of a dressed gander from an adjoining 
bench, whose descendants had supplied the markets for 
years, and after giving it an extra whirl, to impart to it 
the desired impetus, was about mellowing the gander's 
toughness to the delicacy of the quail, when, to use her 
own words, 'dom the twaddling baste, it slupt off the 
handle ;' and by its centrifugal force, went full into the 
breast of her who was working the quarter of lamb in her 
front ; its handle being better set in, (much to the sorrow 
of the back undergoing the lambasting,) or of less slip- 
pery material, than the goose's neck, enabled the opera- 
tor to outdo her competitor, who had chosen a weapon 
that offered so poor a grip. The wrong direction of the 



152 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

flight of the goose, brought on a controversy, which gave 
the culprits a respite. 

To a question put to one of them afterwards, 'how he 
liked the qualities of the meats and vegetables of that 
day's market; and was it for his own account or for the 
benefit of the firm that he took so largely V he replied, 
being a bit of a wag — 

'We took share and share alike, but as I scorn to extort 
upon the necessities of the poor, you shall have mine at 
first cost.' 

'You must rue the bargain, then, or else you'd not make 
so liberal an offer.' 

'Fish, fowl, onions, and lamb, kept stirred with a riding 
whip, and served up where raw-hide is used for table 
linen, is an unchristian hash, and too hot even for an 
outward application.' 

'I think you've a belly full for a week, any how.' 

'And a back load for a month,' put in a second. 

'Aye, and marks for life,' said a third, 'or I'm no judge 
of the impressions made by the knuckle-joint of a leg of 
mutton, sent home with the strength of a wood-chopper.' 

'Soberly, which of all the licks set the closest?' 

The rowdy, being tired of this rigging, pettishly 
snapped out, 'I did'nt care for nothing, 'cept the shoes, 
nor for them neither had the nails been drove in.' 

Probably he mistook the skewers or ragged bones in the 
meat, or the horned fish fins for the half 'drove in' nails 
of the shoe-heels. So intent were these female dealers 
in fruits and vegetables, on giving these rowdies their due, 
that if the crowd had been so disposed, they could have 
carried off the whole amount of the day's marketings, 
without being noticed by the owners ; but none thought 
of eating or eatables, so much were they amused at the 
anxiety and relish manifested by these correctors of the 
morals of the chiefs of the Rough Alley gang. 

A more turbulent set of mortals than this sane: were 
never suffered to breathe. It must not be supposed that 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 153 

they voluntarily formed themselves into a separate com- 
munity, but the rather, that they fell into it unawares. 
Whenever any one became riotous, disorderly, filthy, 
thievishly inclined, or in anywise guilty of rowdyism, he 
was dubbed as belonging to the Rough Alley clan. If a 
rush was made, any cause arose for the sudden collection 
of a crowd, or a quick gathering for whatever purpose — 
a tight, a scuffle, or high-toned exclamations, their watch- 
word 'keno!' was sung out by some one near by, 'keno!' 
was taken up by the next, 'keno!' was answered from 
afar, till 'keno!' 'keno!' was stretching in the distance, 
reverberating and echoing throughout the prisons, when 
the dirty, the tattered, the half-naked, the hideous, were 
seen with begrimmed faces and stooping postures, pushing 
out from every hole and corner, wherever they might be, 
and scudding towards the scene of disorder with hasty 
strides, to be foremost in the fray, and a demon relish 
depicted upon their cadaverous looks, to be early mixing 
in the melee. 

I was walking with an acquaintance in the yard one 
afternoon, soon after the arrival of the last portion of the 
crew of the privateer, and supposed I had seen and 
spoken to them all; but yet I had forgotten the looks of 
many, so little time had we been together in the brig. 
As we passed the corner of the building, I saw several 
with sticks, upturning the sweepings and scrapings of the 
cook-house and prisons, which were thrown into a pile, 
until the carts should come round to remove it. These 
were endeavouring to secure whatever they could find 
in the pile of filth, which was seldom more than a cut 
potatoe, knarled turnip, or the stump of a cabbage, that 
by accident had been swept up, or for their worthlessness 
had been thrown out with the other gatherings by the 
cooks. As there were always some who 'could eat a 
horse and cry for the saddle,' and were ever poking and 
hovering about this pile of offal, I passed on without 
noticing them ; but afterwards thought there was one I 



154 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

ought to have known, yet I did not see enough of him to 
readily recall him to my mind, and concluded in my walk 
back, I would be more particular in learning who he was. 
When we had turned in our walk, to pace the way back, 
I saw two start from the heap and run, one evidently 
endeavouring to catch the other. In this he found no little 
difficulty, not by the superior fleetness of the other, for 
the foremost was no match to the one following, in speed 
or in height; but his quick and sudden turnings, dodg- 
ings and squirmings about, like the terrier, when at play 
with the mastiff, pestered the hindmost one exceedingly. 
He would dart back under the very arms of him in chase, 
and gain a rod or two before the other could about ship 
and follow; when again, on the taller one coming up, the 
other would shoot athwart his bows and be off to the left, 
gaining a brief moment from the out-stretched arms and 
grappling fingers of his opponent, who had to back water 
ere getting in the wake of the chase, that had shot off at 
right angles from his former course, only again to be over- 
taken — when, to squat and let his tall follower measure 
his length the way he was heading, was an effort without 
the least labour, either corporeal or mental. One of the 
abrupt angles the small one made, brought him near us, 
when being hard pressed, he dropped a turnip, the object 
of contention, and the race was ended. In the shorter, I 
recognized the Loafer, for the first time since we parted 
in the frigate at Fayal. 

After asking him how he had fared, how he liked his 
present abode, and some other common-place questions, 
I then inquired of him the reason of the race, which to 
him had proved not only a hard one, but a losing one. 
He said the other gentleman had dug up the turnip, but 
he took it and ran, thinking all was common in the dung 
heap. I intimated he had not improved in his tactics 
of foraging since last we met, if he was content to come 
off second best, to so scurvy a fellow as the one I saw in 
his wake, when he dropped the turnip. 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 155 

'The one I dropped,' said he, 'was'nt worth keeping; 
it was sun-burnt and pithy to boot. But, (pausing and 
looking cautiously around, at the same time opening his 
bosom enough to disclose a large white one,) is'nt that a 
beauty,' closing with a laugh, which was neither a copy 
nor a counterfeit. 

I had to stand the jeers of the companion of my walks, 
he complimenting me highly at the promising appearance 
of my shipmates, and asked, 

'Is he a fair sample of your brig's crew ? if so, you have 
every reason to be proud of having sailed with such.' 

'We had fairer looking exteriors to worse hearts than 
this simpleton possesses, as far as I have had an oppor- 
tunity of judging; and had he but a chance for improve- 
ment, he would show for the better in a month.' 

'Should I ever become his tutor,' returned my waggish 
companion, 'my first endeavours would be to modulate 
his laugh ; for with that pelican gap staring me in the 
face, I should have the locked-jaw before the second 
lesson was completed.' 

'His laugh is generally proportioned to the exciting 
cause that brings it out. I have seen him when the 
present one, that has so raised your curiosity, would not 
be noticed.' 

'Had I him in the States, I would set up a travelling 

menagerie, nor wish for a better capital than him alone.' 

If he would not have ate up profits, proprietor and 

capital, it would be because his new vocation was not 

congenial to his stomach. 

Of this tall one, I have a word to say, which will do 
as well here as elsewhere. He had been taken prisoner, 
whilst belonging to the army, and stationed on the Cana- 
dian lines, early after the war was declared, had missed 
his exchange, been a prisoner in Quebec, Halifax, Chat- 
ham, and now in Dartmoor. His mind and spirit had 
become so crushed, that he had not much left to srive 
him claim to humanity, except looks, and but little of 



156 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

that ; his shape, however, was partially retained, as far as 
the outlines went. He had been sentenced twice, and 
twice undergone the punishment of being stripped and 
lain in the pool of water, which ran through the prison 
yards, in the midst of winter, and scrubbed thoroughly 
with sand and brush, for being filthy, and taking so little 
care of his person. He was unfit to associate with even 
the worst of the Rough Alleys, could mess out with 
none, and was forced to stay till the 'odd mess' was 
called, which was composed of the offscourings of the 
whole prison, numbering from one to six, as might be 
left from the previous six counted out. No one knew 
his name, and I question whether he had not forgotten 
it himself; for he was not heard to utter a word beyond 
a monosyllable for months, and remained in prison till 
the last draught was called out, although others were 
liberated who came with him, in their regular rotation. 
Every other stimulant was absorbed in his never satiated 
voracious appetite. He was always prowling about the 
dirt heap, cook-house, or elsewhere, for the purpose of 
picking up any thing that he could eat, which was swal- 
lowed raw as he found it; apparently not caring what 
the quality was, so the quantity sufficed. 

A bet was made between two wags, that this man 
could devour five loaves of wheaten bread, of three-quar- 
ters of a pound each, with a pint of warm tea to the loaf, 
in a given number of minutes. He failed in time, only 
by his swallowing the last of the tea, when he still had 
a half loaf yet to eat; but by stretching the neck, expand- 
iug the features, (the eyes seeming to take the largest 
interest in winning,) and taxing his spine to the strain 
of every vertebre — stooping low, and suddenly straighten- 
ing with a desperate jerk, at each swallow, the object was 
accomplished, all was engulfed. Although cheered on 
by those interested, he hurried not ; and when he had 
finished the last morsel, after casting about to see if there 
was no more coming, he left the circle without a word. 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 157 

as though nothing unusual had taken place. The passers- 
by would frequently amuse themselves, by tossing to him 
a crust of bread, a cold potatoe, the head of a herring, 
or the tip of a candle, which he would catch and devour 
as eagerly as the greediest cur would his allowance of 
meat, and watch with the cunning of a monkey from 
whence these acceptable missiles would next come. 

It was proverbial, that this man was the greatest 
breeder of lice, of any ten others in the five prisons, 
be they ever so filthy. To this propensity of his, no 
one objected or interfered, only that each swarm which 
he bred remained with their cherisher no longer than 
till they were big enough, or had sense sufficient to look 
for better quarters — running no risk in their hap-hazard 
change, for worse they could not find. But still they 
would stick to their patron whilst in a helpless state, and 
desert him as soon as chance offered other shelter, which 
is another instance of the ingratitude of those reared of 
the then generation. 

I was one day looking at this man, who was sitting in 
his hammock, that hung ten or twelve feet from the 
floor, and musing in my mind whether it were possible 
for a human being, who had once mixed and lived in 
social society, to be reduced thus low, with his faculties 
still at his command, when I noticed his being in a per- 
fect state of nudity had attracted other eyes besides mine 
towards him, to learn, if possible, his singular motive 
in stripping to the hide so raw a day as it was. He kept 
busily puffing away at his short pipe, faking as little no- 
tice of the many gazers, as he did of their jeering 
remarks. At last it was ascertained he was employing 
his leisure moments, in enjoying the gambollings of the 
thriving brood he had last thrown off. While w r e were 
watching to see the end of his eccentricities, his ham- 
mock-strings snapped at the end towards which he sat, 
tumbling him out backwards, heels over head. At that 
instant a man was passing underneath, on whom the 
14 v.2 



158 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

naked one fell, their backs meeting with a tremendous 
concussion. The one that was beneath broke the fall of 
the other, at the expense of being disabled for some time, 
while he who had fallen, leisurely gathered himself up, 
without seeming to know any thing unusual had occur- 
ed, climbed to his hammock again, and from the first 
to the last, did not lose the pipe from his mouth, nor miss 
a whiff of the smoke he was regularly puffing out. 

He was soon after sent to the hospital, for being too 
disgustingly dirty to remain in the prison, a plan some- 
times resorted to, when any proved to be so filthy, that 
they could not be kept within the rules and regulations 
made for the general good. 

We had an old Dutchman in prison No. 5, as ugly as 
he was old, and as crabbed as he was both old and ugly. 
No one ever spoke to him, for his sourness prohibited 
his having any companions. His hammock was so hung 
that it was impossible to reach mine, without sometimes 
touching his. This brought upon my unlucky head all 
the Dutch oaths, he could concoct and deal out in his 
anger, which, if they harmed him no more than they 
frightened me, was breath thrown away. I have since 
thought that I was careless of keeping clear of his ham- 
mock, or that I might unawares have caught it to save 
myself from falling, oftener than was agreeable to the 
owner; but I have greater reason to believe, now that 
judgment is better matured in after life, I became so 
accustomed to his scoldings, that they acted as a lullaby to 
help me to sleep, and I found it necessary to jog his 
memory now and then, lest I might lie longer awake 
than was congenial to health. 

One night I heard a gurgling noise from the throat of 
this old man, roused the doctor, obtained a light, and 
found liim quite dead, from the effects of a ruptured 
blood-vessel. Notice was given through the grated win- 
dow to the sentry in the yard, that a corpse was to be 
sent to the hospital. The sentinel waked the turnkey, 



WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 159 

who came and desired help to convey the body to the 
'dead-house,' a little apart from the hospital, to remain there 
till buried in the morning, at the usual place, outside the 
prison walls. We had a Philadelphia pilot for an acquain- 
tance, in an adjoining mess, of unusually small dimen- 
sions, although possessing sufficient calibre in daring swag- 
ger and noisy gasconade, to insure him a colonelcy in 
a regiment of Napoleon's life-guards. This man was 
ever pushing himself forward, making up in officious- 
ness what he was lacking in person ; and on the present 
occasion he volunteered to pilot those bearing the corpse 
to its destination. On entering the dead-house, the pilot 
was some few steps ahead of those carrying the body, 
with the light in his hand, feeling all the more firm that 
he should lead the others among the shades of the de- 
parted ; when, after passing two or three bodies sent in 
from the hospital, he was brought up suddenly by seeing 
another rise on end in his swathing clothes, and stare 
him fully in the face, with a vagueness of aspect but ill 
suited to allay his rising fears or modify his bristly up- 
raising hair to becoming sleekness. He did not wait to 
give a reason for his unceremonious exit, but sped light 
in hand, through the yards, like a flaming meteor, re- 
gardless of the hail while passing the sentinel, who, ere 
coming to the charge or repeating the challenge, was 
paralyzed with fear at the spirit that came rushing from 
the mansions of the dead. The pilot stopped not till 
gaining: his berth, when he was so much exhausted as 
only to chatter out between his shivering fits of ague, 
'I — I — have — I have seen the — the devil — with his gla- 
ring — red hot eye-balls !' and sank to the floor. 

The ghost was the keeper of the dead-house, who made 
this his lodging room. He gruffly growled his dislike at 
being disturbed so often, gave directions where to place 
the body, turned to his berth, and would have been snor- 
ing before the party left, had not one of them asked him 
how business thrived. 'Well enough, only too much 



160 WAYS AND DOINGS ABOUT TOWN. 

night work.' This man received two-pence per day for 
his hire, with nothing for his nocturnal disturbances. 

This pilot was employed early in the war, to take a 
letter-of-marque out of the Delaware; — ran out, was in- 
tercepted by a British cruiser, captured, and had been a 
prisoner ever since ; never having heard from his family 
since he left them one morning with the expectation of 
breakfasting with them the next, for which purpose, he 
used to say, he had charged them to keep it hot against 
his return. 

The pilot was landed at Boston, in a destitute condition, 
late in July, and not finding a passage by water to his 
native city, he started off on foot to beg his way till he 
should again behold his wife and children. On his route 
he passed through my native village, and gave my parents 
the welcome intelligence, (the first they had received 
since my departure,) that I was in health, and most pro- 
bably on my passage across the Atlantic. He was set 
agoing on his journey with renewed cheer, and I hope 
he, ere this, has ascertained whether the patience of his 
wife was exhausted at his dilatory manner of keeping the 
breakfast awaiting. But if he does not receive a sound 
box to keep up the connection between each fit of scold- 
ing, for his loitering, the temperament of his better half 
stands fairer than some housewives, who, when from 
home, have the reputation of being immaculate. 



1G1 
CHAP. VIII. 

OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

Each strove to employ himself in the best manner he 
could devise, as by so doing, the misery of his imprison- 
ment was lessened. It mattered not what he did, so his 
mind was relieved from the anxiety it was labouring 
under, by the uncertainty of knowing when he would be 
set at liberty, and be on his way to his much thought of 
home. It is truly surprising to what a degree of per- 
fection man can attain in the exercise of his ingenuity, 
when he sets about it with a determinotion to succeed, 
in spite of the unlooked-for obstacles which he may meet 
in the course of his progress. No man need ever despair, 
till an effort is made, nor then till again and again over- 
powered by difficulties his abilities cannot surmount; and 
even then let him change his employment for some- 
thing better suited to his genius ; but never let his 
perseverance falter. 

I was acquainted with two rough, weather-beaten sea- 
men, who had never been used to any mechanical em- 
ployment, knew nothing but to 'reef and steer,' and to 
all appearance, were entirely destitute of any ingenuity. 
These men began at constructing a miniature ship-of-the- 
line, with no other tools than a knife and a needle ; and 
with no means of procuring others, except by the sale of 
their daily allowance of meat, for a penny. With this 
they bought — to-day, a file, next week a pair of pliers, 
then a small saw, (if the jacknife has not already been 
converted into one,) a little glue, a few skeins of silk for 
the cordage, brass wire for the pinnings, a coarser kind 
for the guns, and so on, till at the end of two or three 
months, they had a tolerable set of tools, and materials 
sufficient to complete the tiny man-of-war which their 
minds were set upon finishing in a style to outdo others 
14* v.-2 



162 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

who had built, rigged and equipped the like to their 
fancy. 

After selecting such beef bones from the cook-house as 
would answer their purpose, they sawed them into thin 
slabs, of an eighth to a quarter of an inch in width, 
scraped them to a high polish, and with these planked 
up the sides and deck of their little craft, fastening all 
with pins of brass, so correctly put in as not to show the 
least irregularity in their lines from keel to gunwale, nor 
from stem to stern. This imitation three-decker, when 
finished, had each gun bored, mounted upon running car- 
riages, with tackle complete — moveable capstan, wheel, 
rudder, each block sheeved throughout the rigging, as 
likewise, her full complement of anchors and boats, one 
and all in their proper places. The most experienced sea- 
man could not detect the want of a rope, nor one out of 
place or proportion, every thing from the keel to the truck, 
being reduced to an exact scale. Yet when finished, the 
hull of this three-decker was less than two feet in length. 
Probably if these men had been set to work elsewhere, 
and by other reasons than their own fancy, to kill time or 
ambitious to outdo others, they could not have drilled a 
hole, or filed two pieces of metal to a close joint. 

Many were constantly employed making fancy baskets, 
of pasteboard frames, delicately covered with different 
coloured straw, split and glued to the body, in every ima- 
ginable shape and figure human ingenuity could devise. 
Boxes, covered in this fanciful manner, were ever hawking 
about the prisons, and no prettier ornament could be 
desired for a lady's workstand or toilet, for which they 
were intended, whenever a sale could be effected through 
the agency of the market girls ; at prices, however, most 
ruinous, if the labour bestowed upon them were estimated 
at any thing. Yet to those that laboured, the remunera- 
tion for their toils was but a secondary consideration, for 
during the manufacture, they were more than compen- 
sated by forgetting they were prisoners 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 163 

Others would set themselves to sewing a strip of white 
muslin upon the seams of their outer garments, and when 
done, should there be the least want of uniformity in the 
stitchings or strips, oft' it would come, and they were more 
than pleased that they had an excuse for further employ- 
ment. 

Some, from their cast-off stockings, would stitch their 
garments in the style and fashion of a rug, leaving: the 
ends of the ravellings an inch or two in length, working 
figures in the ground as they proceeded, till the whole 
was completed. These suits, when turned out by those 
of taste, and worn by a comical fellow, attracted much 
attention, for their grotesque and laughable appearance. 
None were superior to them as to warmth and comfort. 

Numbers who never before painted nor attempted to. 
draw, would purchase a small box of water colours, the 
necessary pencils, and begin a trade, which could be of 
no hereafter benefit to themselves ; yet before they aban- 
doned their undertakings, they would make pictures of 
no mean appearance. These were always for sale in the 
market and prisons, and many times sold for a sixpence, 
after a week's labour had been bestowed upon them. 
Still the painter had the employment and the sixpence, 
either better than drawling his weary hours out with 
complainings and malevolence. 

Another, with a billet of wood and his jacknife, would 
spend days at an image, which, when completed, would 
deceive the eyes of a dealer in Chinese ornaments. 

One, from the leaden gutter at the top of the prison, 
could find sufficient material (with a discovered mixture 
of his own to harden and make it ring) to manufacture a 
coin, that would scorn at being compared to the present 
currency of these degenerate shin-plaster times, which in 
point of value, is no better than that of Tom Pepper's 
make. This man had often been cautioned for carrv- 
ing on so hazardous a business, without manifesting any 
uneasiness at the consequences himself, although some 



1G4 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

threats had been thrown out, by a larger quantity than 
usual appearing in the market, that means would be taken 
to ferret out the coiner, as well as to learn why the lead 
upon the roof of No. 5, was disappearing in patches. 
One day word was hastily conveyed to Tom, that the 
authorities from the outside were inspecting the prison ; 
but as his metal was heating, he regarded it not. On the 
approach of these dignitaries, he absolutely offered pieces 
of his coin to them for sale, as he turned them hot from 
the mould ; and he did it with such perfect self-possession 
or impudent sang froid, (he was a known wag,) that the 
inspectors passed on with a laugh, saying they 'did not 
deal in medals,' and left him unmolested. 

All those who could teach and obtain scholars, opened 
schools. These were much more abundantly patronized, 
than the pecuniary circumstances of the pupils or their 
guardians warranted. Here were taught reading, writing, 
arithmetic, dancing, music, fencing and boxing; besides 
there were many who lectured on naval tactics, elocution, 
philosophy, political economy, and all other subjects 
which came uppermost to their fertile or frolicksome 
imaginations while speaking. The schools were much 
more numerous than profitable, as could be seen by the 
tattered appearance of many of the teachers. The adult 
scholars, from twenty to sixty years of age, in the 
absence of their tutors, often renewed the mischievous 
pranks of their younger times, in all the joyousness of 
school-boy frolickings; appearing the more uproarous by 
not fearing the licking, as in their urchin days of racket 
and misrule. It would be taxing one's features beyond 
endurance, even if he possessed the gravity of a bishop 
at baptism, or the sourness of a displaced politician, by 
saying he should not laugh at the doings of these unruly 
scamps at their lessons. For instance, to see one cau- 
tiously rise from his seat, whose naked bronzed poll 
indicates a half century's buffetings amid gales and bat- 
tles, lispingly ask : 

'Pleathe, thur, maint I espeak?' 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 1G5 

'If I knew your wants perhaps you might,' says the 
teacher. 

'I wanths to tell Jule, that nekst time she pullthes 
Frith's hair, in her love esquinths, she'd better not get 
holder mine agin, if she duths, I'm darn'd if I duth'nt 
make mouths at her, if I iths in eskool, and tell her 
marm arterwardths, and if she duths'nt giths lickt, I'll 
roar like sthunder.' 

'Juliana, my dear, what is that you have been doing, 
while I was busy with your pen ?'^ 

'I haint done noffin, I haint; ony Zeke, he sez our 
Zal don't wear no garters, and guz slipshod to meetin. 
Our Zal is wurf all his fam'ly in size, and can lick the 
hull tote on urn, as easy as she can lup a brush fence 
wifout tightenin her apron strings, or brake a rampugscious 
colt wifout saddle or bridle.' 

Many were constantly employed trafficking, having a 
stall fitted up for the sale of small articles, while others 
were engaged with a cook-shop, or buying and selling 
second-hand clothes. Those that could work at tailoring 
or shoemaking, never failed having full employment. 
Washerwomen and barbers were at all times abundant 
throughout the prisons. 

At each mess table, amusements varied — draughts, crib- 
bage, card playing, music, song-singing, story-telling, were 
among the most prominent ; and are they not duly chro- 
nicled in the 'first walks through the prisons?' 

Music was a favourite amusement of many of the 
inmates. They met at one another's mess tables with 
their instruments and note books, and could easily wear 
away a few hours of each day, which otherwise would 
have hung heavily upon them. I had no idea of the 
number of musical instruments among the prisoners, till 
the procession was formed for the celebration of Wash- 
ington's birth-day, the 22nd February. Fifes, flutes, 
bugles, trumpets, violins, and clarionets, of all sizes and 
keys, played to perfection, Hail Colombia, Yankee Doodle 



166 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

and Washington's March ; each striving to be heard above 
the others, either in a fair way, or by an out of key blast. 
In this the clarionets eminently excelled all others. The 
procession, after passing through the different yards, with 
banners flying, rallied around the orator of the day in 
prison No. 1, who, with notes in hand, was prepared 
for the forthcoming address, monody, sermon, soliloquy, 
oration, or denunciation, as best suits the one to name 
it who delivered it; as those I have heard upon festival 
days of rejoicing, happily partake of the whole in about 
equal parts, and our prison orator proved himself a good 
copyist; for the one in question was spoken much as 
others are done, when a set determination is entered into 
by the speaker, to outdo all who have gone before him 
in noise and rant. The audience chose to divide the 
whole into parts for applauding as best suited themselves, 
at times sadly disconcerting the declaimer. The loudest 
in approbation were generally those who did not hear the 
sentiments at all, or heard them, but did not understand 
their meaning, and thus managed to cloak their ignorance 
under their vociferous clappings, hootings and yellings. 
Afterwards, the different parties separated, to partake of 
the many luxuries prepared for the guests who had ho- 
noured the day with this turn-out display. 

The Fifer was anxious to be somehow employed. 'I 
don't care what it is, so as I can do it.' But there was 
the nip ; he could do nothing he saw going on around 
him, not even wash his own linen, or stand cook for the 
mess to which he belonged, with credit to himself or to 
the taste of the others. Money he had none, and was 
likely to be without it till again among his hills in Berk- 
shire ; and his clothing was like to be as scarce as were 
the contents of his purse, when his present suit should be 
worn out, as it was in a fair way shortly to be by present 
appearances. We persuaded him to turn 'Jew,' and 
encouraged his .beginnings by giving him such things 
to sell as we could spare, and started him on his new 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 167 

undertaking with a respectable fitting out. He sold off 
at a rapid rate, and at tremendous profits, but alas, no 
cash did he get ; all was gone to 'as good men as were in 
prison,' but he did not receive enough to pay himself his 
per centage commission. When he ultimately found the 
state to which he had brought his friends, he said, in 
the honest simplicity of his heart, 'I will pay every one 
of you dollar for dollar when we meet in the States, or 
do penance by again going to sea in time of war.' 

The Doctor, with his other duties, had a respectable 
class studying navigation under him, who were better 
fitted to take charge of a vessel, than many whose studies 
have been upon a larger plan ; for he possessed the quali- 
fications of imparting knowledge to others that few can 
boast of, and was himself at the head of the profession. 
To help him out with his students, he had managed to 
retain his quadrant, books, and some few nautical instru- 
ments, from the time of his capture. 

After the failure of our stock business, time hung 
heavily upon our hands, yet hunger laid heavier hands 
upon our stomachs, which had nothing but what was 
given out from the cook-house, to fend off his cramping, 
clutching fingers, that seemed to gloat at the very havoc 
they were making. Each day, before the bread was 
weighed out to the individuals of the mess, it under- 
went a 'shave;' that is, a thin chip of the crust was 
taken from the whole loaf. This, after scorching, was 
boiled as coffee, and we drank it at our morning meal, 
without either sugar or milk ; not a very palatable dish, 
yet in chilly cold weather it was better than water 
from the spring, to moisten one's bread. 

One day, I said to the Doctor, that this starving quietly 
and famishing by piecemeals, would not do; something 
must be done, either to give us bread to quiet our unruly 
stomachs, or employment to ease our distracted minds. 
I knew the owner of a wheel of fortune, who was about 
giving up the business, not for the excess of wealth he 



168 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

had gained in the profession, but simply because he had 
latterly become a little embarrassed, something under the 
weather, for a brief spell- — in fact, now the circumstance 
has gone by, it may as well come out, at the risk of in- 
juring his standing hereafter, my friend was a bankrupt. 

This wheel of fortune was a smooth board, much re- 
sembling a clock-face, with either numbers around its 
circle, or fancy painted characters and devices ; the exact 
representation of which was pictured on as many cards 
as were numbers on the table. In the centre of the 
circle was hung an index, revolving as the hand to the 
clock. For a halfpenny the - proprietor, or banker, dealt 
out five cards. The holder of the cards gave the index 
a twirl, and should it stop on a figure, which any one 
of his cards designated, he was entitled to a twopenny 
white loaf. If he had no number in his hand like the 
one the index pointed towards, he lost. The game in 
favour of the banker was about twenty-five per cent. 

The owner of this table of chance had offered it to me 
at a moderate price, and on a liberal credit; but in 
my then present capacity, it was as likely to lay as dor- 
mant, had I closed with his offer, as with himself, and 
for the same reason, the want of capital to buy the loaves, 
which were necessary to set it in motion. Our united 
credit was not sufficient to raise a dozen from the bakers 
who attended the market, notwithstanding the fierce 
opposition that was raging, on account of several new- 
comers appearing, with a determination of having a share 
in supplying the prisoners with fresh bread daily. 

I sold a pair of stockings that I had intended for my 
go-ashore ones when reaching the States, for a shilling, 
and the Doctor raised the like sum from the sale of a part 
of his wardrobe, which was sufficient to buy the dozen, 
baker's dozen loaves, to put in motion our wheel of for- 
tune. The embarking the whole of our capital in a new 
and hazardous business, must not be supposed to have 
been done without due consideration and forethought, but 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. jgg 

en the contrary, when seeing the pile of wheaten loaves 
before us, throwing off its savory smell, as they tauntingly 
seemed to say, 'why so dainty while within your reach ?' 
The bare idea that they would pass to the comfort of 
others, caused a fluttering within our inward bosoms, that 
brought forcibly to my mind the yearnings of the children 
of Israel for the onions, the leeks; and the flesh pots of 
the Egyptians, after they had been thrown upon such fare 
as they could by chance pick up by the road-side during 
a forced march ; and I felt a less desire to deal harshly 
with them, the rather wishing to throw the fault upon 
the translator, who must have made it after a surfeit of 
heavy feeding upon the same articles, for which they 
were accused of a longing to enjoy. Let some of our 
learned commentators again examine attentively the ori- 
ginal upon an empty stomach, and if they do not find 
something wrong, feel an uneasiness during the inspection, 
and make the correction, they never have been prisoners 
of war, or I have lost the time that has been expended 
upon the paragraph, which might have been more pro- 
fitably employed. 

I took the cards, the Doctor stood by to see fair plav, 
customers flocked around, as always when a green hand 
begins a new business, and so fortunate did our under- 
taking prove, that when breaking off at bedtime, we had 
cash sufficient to pay for the table, (by receiving a liberal 
discount for promptness,) had ten out of the fourteen 
loaves we started with, and money enough to lay in 
another dozen, should luck turn on the morrow. 

That night, each of the mess had his cup of well- 
sweetened tea, two-penny wheaten roll, scientifically split, 
and in its space was deposited a lump of butter, to ease 
the stowage and mellow the digestion ; a meal with its 
accompanying appetite to be envied by a king. 'If there 
be but six happy mortals on this terrestial globe of ours,' 
said the Doctor, 'they can be found at our mess table in 
prison Xo. 5.' 

15 v.2 



170 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

'Make the tea something that has life in it,' said Well- 
bred Jim, 'and you may sit me down as two.' 

'You must suppose we should reel about like yourself, 
beyond the possibility of counting, or see double.' 

'Double me into a puncheon, fill it with the right kind 
of pickle, and I will snooze away till times better.' 

Gambling was indulged in and carried to the greatest 
extent, and far beyond the conception of any one, who 
had no opportunity of seeing the pernicious effect it pro- 
duced. Games of hazard were to be seen throughout the 
prisons in every form, and under every name, from the 
penny sweat-cloth, to the more fashionable French game 
of vingt-et-un whose bankers were generally a company 
or an association, and had at times coin in the greatest 
abundance. In fact, to a visitor, it was a matter of asto- 
nishment, where such large amounts came from ; for upon 
the tables might be seen pecks of three shilling pieces, 
fancifully piled up in the various forms of towered castles 
and pyramidal peaks, to allure those who had money, 
to come forward and add theirs to grace these battlements 
of coin ; for to play, was but to lose — either first or last 
none escaped being fleeced, who ventured a beginning. 
This was the worst stain upon the body of prisoners, and 
the only one vice, from which nineteen-twentieths did 
not keep themselves aloof. 

It may be asked where all these sums came from ? 
Mostly from those who had formerly been impressed into 
the British navy, from American ships, and who, after the 
war broke out between the two nations, refused to fisrht 
against their countrymen, and instead of being sent home, 
were conveyed as prisoners of war to these and other pri- 
sons, where they were to remain till liberated by peace 
being proclaimed, for none were exchanged. This body 
of men alone numbered more than twenty-five hun- 
dred within these walls. They drew from time to time, 
their back pay and prize-money, some in dividends, whilst 
others received their whole dues at once, which frequently 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 171 

amounted to large sums. One man who was an inmate of 
No. 5, had sent to him from London, a very considerable 
amount, it was said £1100, on Monday, and the Thursday 
following, he had not the means of buying a cup of cof- 
fee ; the whole had gone to help swell the already huge 
piles upon the gamblers' boards, without the excuse of 
cloaking his foolish conduct under inebriation, for he was 
not known to have touched a drop of ardent spirits, and 
was proverbially temperate. 

This man's adventures deserve a passing notice, at the 
risk of a digression. When young, he was impressed into 
the British service, and afterwards captured and thrown 
into a French prison. In an attempt, with others, to make 
his escape, a scuffle ensued with the guard, when one of 
its numbers was killed. The party of prisoners were se- 
cured, confined in a close dungeon for some years, till an 
exchange took place, when he was again taken into the 
navy, and there served till he gave himself up as a pri- 
soner of war, after hostilities had commenced with this 
country and Great Britain. After lying in Dartmoor some 
time, he received the above sum of money, not only for 
his services while in the navy, but also his wages were 
allowed him for the whole of the time that he had been 
in the French prison. Within two years and a half, 
although still erect, with his native spirit unbroken, yet 
verging towards three score years and ten, withal, this 
man might be seen upon the fore-castle of one of our 
national sloops-of-war, recounting his exploits. Among 
his other boastings, besides his 'green mountain' origin, 
living under ground in France, amidst the clouds in Dart- 
moor, and knowing his duty better than all others, he 
used to say, that 'once he was possessed of much riches, 
and had never crooked his finger to man.' The first 
upon one of his hands had been injured, and in the 
healing, it had become perfectly stifF. 'The hurt was 
caused (when in the fore-top among his kin in tigerism) 
by being left, after boarding an enemy from an open 



172 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

boat, by his comrades, who backed out and threw all the 
fighting upon himself;' and, (when among the green-horn 
waisters,) 'while standing in the gangway, catching the 
balls from an enemy's broadside, a gun was let off double 
shotted, without his knowing it, till they were close aboard 
of him, and in trying to catch both, one of them did the 
damage ;' but (when on the berth-deck among his confi- 
dential friends) 'from the slamming of a gun-port shutter.' 

Besides, (to resume,) no man of prudence went to sea 
in time of war, without having some money concealed 
about his person ; more especially those who held respon- 
sible stations, such as captains, first and second officers, 
supercargoes ; and the owners themselves were frequently 
on board of their vessels when taken, and had to submit 
to an incarceration here, as did the most humble fore- 
mast hand, unless he, as commander, had on board the 
necessary number of guns, prescribed by the admiralty 
board. Many of these had correspondents in London, 
who allowed them to draw for such moneys as their 
necessities required. 

In addition to the above, each man in prison was allowed 
by the American government, two and a half pence per 
day, which alone amounted to more than £-2000 a month. 
It will be readily perceived by the foregoing, that these 
sums combined and exposed to sight, would make a larger 
display than what I have been describing; for the majo- 
rity of the whole went to the gaming boards ; yet the 
precariousness of the calling, kept it constantly shifting 
from one table of chance to another, and but few, if any, 
of the gamblers took money with them when they left 
the prisons, while many others, who were saving of their 
means, had enough to keep them comfortable, till they 
could find employment after reaching their homes. 

The most alluring game, and the least hazardous to the 
players, was that of quino, (Sp.) or keno as pronounced 
with us. These tables were large, generally located in a 
comfortable portion of the prison, and could accommodate 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 173 

from twenty to thirty at a time ; or as many or few as 
chose to take part, paying a penny per card for one or 
more, as suited the player's means or object. The whole 
sums received from those who were playing, were placed 
in the centre of the table, to be won by him who got the 
keno. The proprietor 'took his toll from the grist,' his 
only interest in the game, unless he chose to take a card 
like the others, a privilege he was allowed, and which he 
improved, when the players were not abundant. No one 
could lose much money by this game, in the manner it 
was managed here, if sport was his object, while many 
spent an hour or two each day at these boards, merely to 
wear away the time. 

The floor of the cockloft did not extend quite to the 
roof, which slanted down into the story beneath, but left 
a space of a foot or two between the former and the latter, 
as a ventilator for the two apartments. Where my ham- 
mock hung, upon a level, or a trifle above this cockloft 
floor, and immediately opposite, within twelve feet, was 
a keno table, and the most popular one in the prison, 
partly by the ample accommodation for the players, 
but mostly on account of the witty eccentricities of the 
proprietor, who was an inharmonious mass of facetious 
gravity, and rugged harshness personified, the oddity of 
the subject a sufficient excuse for the singularity of the 
phraseology. 

During my sickness, this table, with its attributes, 
proved an annoyance beyond comparison ; for no sooner 
did night come, (the greatest extent of gambling was 
after dark,) than the lights around it were glaring directly 
upon me, the proprietor, after setting his body in motion, 
would crack out his numbers, to a drawling sing-song 
rhyme, with a voice of the utmost harshness, never 
varying it in time nor cadence, but emphasizing most 
inhumanly, till the winner's card was full, which he 
would indicate by singing out 'keno!' The proprietor 
throwing his face upwards, responded with his 'keno, 1 
15* v.2 



174 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

as though his contortions of body and grimaces of phiz, 
since the game began, had been working a cantation, 
to be exploded at a breath, advising all within a fourth 
of a mile, that a keno was won, and the proprietor in full 
blast. JVow I would have a short respite, while the cards 
were selecting and the money depositing, when again 
would the drawing of the numbers begin, nor cease till 
near morning. This was continued every night, Sundays 
excepted, for months, without any variation. 

The owner of this table was an oddity whose like is 
seldom met with. He had gained his popularity, and his 
great run of business, by singing out his numbers, with 
an impromptu rhyme, and the comical swing he gave 
his body and arms, while he was concocting them — dis- 
playing more poetry in his movements than music in 
his rhymes, less harmony in the whole than harshness 
in his song, and without exhibiting a jot of beauty 
from first to last ; yet if there be poetry in motion, he 
was entitled to it. 

He was as rough and uncouth in his outward man, 
as the knarled oaks and knotty pines upon the Passama- 
quoddy banks, from whence he hailed; he was of large di- 
mensions, huge rounded shoulders, protruding head, upon 
a dislocated neck, (if bobbing to the four quarters of the 
compass, with a circular sweep to take in the intermediate 
points, without turning the body, be authority,) and a face 
to sympathize with the whole. The eye-brows so far 
jutted down, as to make it a matter of doubt to a stranger, 
whether he was not blind — never opening them only 
when taking his toll, then for a single instant, they 
would send forth scintillations, sparkle with delight — in 
the next to be deeply enshrouded with their bushy shades, 
and lost to the surrounding crowd. His voice was suffi- 
ciently strong, to throw the sounds of his drawn numbers 
to every corner of the prison, displaying a mouth in the 
operation, as capacious and ragged, as the sounds were 
harsh. 



OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 175 

After he had taken his toll, he would prelude upon his 
coming rhyme, to enjoin silence, gather his thoughts, and 
get his frame to its desired swing, when he would thrust 
his right hand into the bag held by his left, take a quick 
glance at the drawn number, and while giving it an arm's 
length whirl, that all should see there was no deception, 
he was prepared to rhyme out the number — timing each 
angle of his swing with the emphasis of his chant, and 
never losing time with his numbers nor breaking his mea- 
sured swing, conveying the idea to a stranger, that in his 
front was a class of singers, for whose instruction he was 
beating time in an excited manner. 

After my sickness, and becoming more accustomed to 
his drollery, I thought his voice less harsh, the form and 
features less and less objectionable, till at last I too could 
listen with no little satisfaction to the hum-drum son", 
which had annoyed me so much while sick ; and I more 
than once caught myself recalling some of the anathemas, 
which had been so fieely dealt out for his especial benefit, 
but checked myself in season, lest I might come to the 
conclusion, I had ever done aught that required revoking. 

The following is but a poor attempt at imitating him 
of the keno table ; for to enjoy his peculiarities he must 
be seen — no delineation on paper can do him justice. 

Now silence, gentles, let us be, 
Nor wink, nor speak, nor cough, not any ; 

Naught can ye win — not a baubee, 
Who thinks aloud — no, not a penny. 

Watch ! we begin with thirty-four — 

Fegs ! forty-six is summut more. 

If seventeen's a number low, 

Lower still is number two. 

Egad ! look sharp ! for ninety-eight 

Is high, yet seven will set it straight. 

Don't hold your breaths ! 'tis forty-nine — 

Thirty is a choice of mine. 

Says sixty 'I'll a courting go' 

Said, sixteen, 'yes— you don't, I know.' 



176 OUR EMPLOYMENTS. 

That skulking six poked out his nose, 

Quick slipped by ten, and said 'here goes,' 

It's twelve o'clock ; ah me, 0, whew ! 

Here's fifteen sits all in a stew. 

Can ninety-nine on nothing stand ? 

About as much as eleven can bend. 

«0, waths th' matter?' said twenty-six. 

Lisped eight, 'I'th in a thorry fixth.' 

'What ! sixty-four, are you about ?' 

'Me !' says nineteen, 'coming out.' 

Says thirty-three, 'I'se crooked legs.' 

Says eighty-five, T has no pegs.' 

Here's fifty -four, drunk as a Jew, 

Hiccups thirteen, 'and so are you.' 

This game is long— fourteen is tired — 

Grey ninety said, 'you vas not hired.' 

Pshaw ! let that wriggling, crooked three 

Just take one look, stand straight like me. 

Pray, how can four eat gum elas- 

Tic ? much says nine, as you would gas, 

By gulping twenty times, and then — 

Just try you fifty gulps again. 

Twins ! twenty-two, or I'm no sin- 

Ner — sixty-six looks wery prim. 

Old square toes, forty-four can't come 

It over twenty-five, I vum. 

Hand-cuffs and cramps ! here's eighty-eight — 

'Fie, shame !' cries five, 'these crooks I hate.' 

Old hundred is a round one, ye know, 

But rounder still is naught, that's keno. 

This ambition for rhyming was very great among the 
criers and dealers in old clothes ; but all were excelled 
by one who used to hawk his own verses about, and who 
was our poet laureat. Some of this man's prison effusions, 
I have seen in the song books of the day, of since the 
time we speak. 



177 



CHAP. IX. 

A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 

I feel no little diffidence in attempting to give a 
description of this Depot, or the surrounding district, In 
which it is situated ; for I have never seen any published 
account of either, except from the pen of some one, who 
has been an inmate of the prisons, like myself; and who 
had no opportunity of seeing the entire enclosure from 
an elevated or outside situation. Nor have I ever seen a 
drawing, that gave any thing more than a cursory glance 
at the buildings and encircling walls, and which most 
likely was taken from one of the many adorning wooden 
cuts, at the head of some narrative song of the time, and 
drawn by a sojourner whilst therein incarcerated. I had 
no opportunity of ascertaining distances only by stepping 
off, nor any other mode of fixing heights or measure- 
ments, except by comparison. All summings up from 
such sources and materials must unavoidably be defective. 
Yet I trust the following is not so far from correct, as 
not to answer the purpose for which it is intended, and 
probably, as near the truth as the generality of topo- 
graphical descriptions, that are set down as accurately 
drawn. 

Dartmoor, when applied to the prisons, is erroneous, 
for it is the name of the district in which the prisons are 
situated. 'The Heaths of Dartmoor' are the plains that 
surround the buildings of the Depot to a great distance. 
As well might one, in writing of the capitol at Washing- 
ton, call it Washington, or the District of Columbia, and 
be no farther incorrect than. when calling these prisons 
Dartmoor. A traveller may visit Dartmoor, and yet not 
go within ten or twelve miles of the Depot, where the 
Americans were confined during the latter part of the 
last war. 



178 A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 

All letters which came to the prisons, were directed to 
the 'Depot at Dartmoor,' as were the numerous blanks, 
which I saw in both the clerks' and doctors' offices, headed 
in the same manner. The wagons, carts, and other pro- 
perty belonging to this station, were branded as above. 
None of the inhabitants of the surrounding district spoke 
of the prisons only as 'the Depot.' 

The view from the prisons was uninterrupted in every 
direction, except the south ; here it was broken by a high 
hill, from which, it was said, the numerous streams of 
water took their rise, which supplied the Depot so co- 
piously at all seasons of the year. This water, which was 
soft and agreeable to the taste, had a slight redish tinge, 
imbibed by having passed through veins of copper ore im- 
bedded near its source, and had the reputation of being 
insalubrious to those unaccustomed to its use ; but after- 
wards none complained of its baneful effects. The injury 
I received from it, I attributed more to the quantity than 
to the quality of the fluid I drank; for, after being de- 
barred from water that was palatable, during the pas- 
sage across the Atlantic, I indulged most freely in this, 
after my arrival, without an inquiry as to its good or 
bad qualities. I have since seen one account which says, 
'the water is brought from a great distance and at great 
expense, to the Depot,' but does not say from whence it 
was brought, but evidently it is meant from elsewhere 
beyond this hill, as it lay but a short way off, and the 
ground was at a gentle declivity, and favourably situated 
to convey water at but little expense, the whole distance 
to the Depot. 

All the buildings of the Depot, prisons, barracks, hos- 
pital, store-houses, dwellings, and out-houses, were alike 
surrounded by two circular walls, one within the other, of 
stone masonry, of from fifteen to eighteen feet in height. 
These were distant from each other about twenty-five 
feet ; and the space between the two was used as a mili- 
tary walk, and likewise served as a place from which the 



A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 179 

prisoners could be watched, without their seeing who 
were their observers. Inside the wall was an iron picket 
carried around the circle, which stood about thirty feet 
apart from the wall. The space between the two was 
well sodded, and as the spring advanced, a luxuriant 
covering of green sprung up, which added much life 
to the scene, and threw a cheering aspect over the sur- 
rounding sombreness, besides forming a lively contrast to 
the monotonous, dull and heavy appearance of the stone 
buildings. The outer wall measured a full mile in its 
circular stretch around the enclosure. 

This circle was cut by a cross wall of the same height 
and material as the two outside ones, which gave one- 
half of the space for the use of the prison buildings, while 
the other half was occupied by the barracks, hospital, 
store-houses, dwellings for the keepers, all, however, 
surrounded by the same strong barriers, as were those 
which the Americans occupied; so, when the gates were 
closed, the whole within the walls were alike prisoners ; 
or, rather, those whose employment was to prevent the 
captives from escaping, would find it equally as difficult 
to gain their liberty, if the attempt were made without 
the consent of him who had charge of the main gate, as 
would the prisoners. 

The prisons were seven in all, diverging from a com- 
mon centre, known by their numbers, beginning at the 
left, from the entrance at the main gate, with No. 1, 
and ending at the right with No. 7; the two extremes 
being parallel with the cross wall, and the whole radiating 
like the spokes from the hub of a wheel, their extremi- 
ties forming a half circle. The centre of the seven, 
No. 4, was walled off from the others, thus making 
in all three yards, distinct from each other, known as 
yard No. 1, containing prisons Nos. 1, -2, and 3; yard 
No. 4, by itself, containing prison No. 4 ; and yard No. 7, 
containing Nos. 5, 6, and 7. 

The communication was kept up between these yards, 



180 A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 

by a passage at the centre of the circle, of thirty feet in 
width, by one hundred and fifty in length, covered, and 
the top made use of as a military walk, from which the 
movements of those within the enclosure could be seen — 
not only the prisoners, but all who were inside the cir- 
cular wall, whether in the hospital yard, that occupied 
by the barracks, store-houses, or market, the whole could 
be seen at a single turn from this platform. 

In the front of this platform was the market square, 
which was separated from the broad passage beneath it, 
by a tremendous strong wrought iron railing, of about 
twelve feet in height, supported at proper distances from 
each other, by granite posts of more than two feet square, 
firmly planted in the ground. 

The communication from yard to yard, and from prison 
to prison, was free and uninterrupted during the dav ; 
but at sunset, the prisoners were notified by the blowing 
of the turnkey's horn, from the top of the military walk, 
that they must withdraw from the yards, and retire to 
their respective numbers, therein to remain till sunrise 
on the following morning, when the doors were again 
thrown open, as were the different gates which had been 
closed during the night, for the inmates to range the 
yards or buildings to their liking. 

The yards were well paved, lighted at night, swept 
and scraped as often as was necessary for either health 
or appearance ; and they were likewise well supplied 
with water, by each having two handsomely stoned 
canals, of about three feet width and the same in depth, 
carried through them, both running with a never-failing 
supply, the one carrying off the filth of the sewers, 
by its rapid current, whilst the other served for washing 
and culinary purposes. This latter emptied into a stone 
basin of twenty by forty feet, of an elliptic form, which 
could be filled at any time, and was of sufficient depths 
for bathing. But while I was there, the weather was 
ever too chilly to make use of it for this purpose. 



A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 181 

The prison buildings varied in nothing except their 
size ; Nos. 1, 4, and 7, were the largest, Nos. 3 and 5, 
the next in size, and Nos. 2 and 6, (unoccupied,) the 
smallest. The walls were built of irregular shaped un- 
hammered stone, and were more than two feet in thick- 
ness ; the buildings were two stories in height, with a 
cockloft or attic. No. 5, the one I was in, was about 
two hundred and fifty or sixty feet in length, by sixty 
or sixty-five in breadth. Each story was without any 
partitions, but had two alleys, twelve feet in width, run- 
ning the whole length, with upright stanchions, eighteen 
or twenty inches apart, to separate them from the berth- 
places of the men. The floors were paved throughout 
with common flag, or rubble stone. Each building was 
well ventilated by windows, heavily grated with iron 
bars. The communication from story to story was by a 
double flight of broad stairs of hewn stone at both ends 
of each apartment. There were no chimneys in any of 
the prisons, nor fires, except for private use; and these 
belonged to those who could afford a small stove, run- 
ning the pipe out of the many windows in the side walls. 
The owners of these stoves carried on some business 
which required the use of fire; and they were much 
more numerous than agreeable to those who disliked the 
gas arising from burning the bituminous coal necessary to 
keep them in operation. 

Each prison had its own cook-house of the same mate- 
rial that the buildings were built of, and joined the end 
pointing to the common centre of the circle in which 
they stood. 

The Heaths of Dartmoor are situated at a considerable 
elevation, but at what height, I cannot say ; as most of 
the accounts to which I must refer for information, I fear 
are based upon such judgment as I should have formed, 
if asked the question after marching there and back ; for 
I found going thither a tremendous up-hill business, while 
on my return, I glided over the road as though it had been 
16 v.2 



182 A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 

a continued inclined plane, well slushed, and I upon run- 
ners. However, the exeat height in which the district 
is elevated, is alone the cause of the almost uninterrupted 
continuance of those dense and heavy fogs, with which 
it is enveloped from November till May. To the same 
source must be attributed the coldness of the atmosphere ; 
for at no time while I was in prison, did I prefer a walk 
in the shade of the wall, to that of the open sunshine, 
although I was there after the sun had gained its greatest 
altitude, and was retrogading towards the southern hemis- 
phere. 

These heaths, which surround the Depot to a great dis- 
tance, are barren, cheerless, and dreary to behold, even 
during the most luxuriant portion of the year ; but when 
all was blasted with hoar-frost and deadened by the 
stern hand of winter, they were doubly drear. For days 
even in summer, nothing could be seen, except occasion- 
ally a single horseman threading one of the crooked by- 
paths of the plain, or a flock of sheep vainly endeavour- 
ing to nip a scanty meal from the surface of a barren 
soil, that grew nothing except a coarser bramble than they 
could relish. For full half around the horizon, there was 
not an object for the eye to rest upon as a landmark — 
not a fence, a stream, a hillock, nor a tree was between 
the observer and the distant blue risings which ended 
his view. 

By the small irregular mounds and ridges of raised 
earth, that were here and there discovered scattered over 
the plains, with evident signs of great antiquity, it is 
thought that battles must have been fought on these 
heaths in ancient times. And so fully were the country 
people's minds convinced, that the departed dead were 
yet restless, and that their spirits still danced over the 
moor in that witching hour, when ghosts love to riot in 
transparent forms, and lightly float in drapery of swathing 
clothes, that it was difficult for those rustics to bring their 
minds, to pass this extensive waste after night-fall. They 



A SHOUT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 183 

would always time their startings from the little village 
©f Princeton, so as to cross the waste ere dark. It was 
a picturesque sight, from an upper window, to follow those 
who attended the markets, each mounted upon a donkey, 
driving before him or her fifteen or twenty more, one 
strung before the other, in single files, with panniers 
swung across their backs, wending the way to their 
homes. When at a distance, and following the crooked 
sheep paths, I could liken them to nothing but the sinuous 
movements of the snake, as it winds itself along, without 
any obvervable motion, except a snail pace progressing. 

Half a mile to the east was the little village of Prince- 
ton, composed of ten or fifteen buildings, with a stone 
Gothic church, standing midway between the town and 
the prisons. This building was put up by the French 
during the time of their captivity, who, after working 
through the day, returned at dusk to pass the night within 
the walls. I believe they were allowed a small remune- 
ration for their labour. A little to the left of this village, 
was a small winding stream, over which was a stone 
bridge, where the road crossed that led to the interior. 

These were the only objects the eye could rest upon, 
when turned from within the prison enclosure, if we ex- 
cept the smooth surface of rising ground, a short distance 
to the left of Princeton, which was used as the parade 
on which the troops manoeuvred, that were doing duty at 
the Depot. It was not unfrequent for a couple of regi- 
ments to close their two hours' drill with a sham fight; 
when as many of the prisoners as could clamber to the 
roofs of the buildings, enjoyed a fair sight of this harm- 
less but highly picturesque battle, often fiercely raging 
between these two regiments of red-coated soldiery, 
whose gaudily bedizened trappings glittered in the sun's 
rays, as seen when half enveloped in the dense smoke of 
the battalion fire. 

Our food was mostly of bread, beef, and soup ; but two 
days in each week, were, in the language of seamen, 



184 A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 

'banyan days,' when we had, instead of the beef and the 
soup, two herrings each, either from the pickle or smoked, 
with potatoes ; or codfish and potatoes. The preference 
was always given to the soup, it being palatable, nourish- 
ing, and ever hot when given out from the cook-house, 
which, to those that were but half clad and wholly chilled 
by the cold fogs peculiar to the district, was a luxury no 
one was willing to be deprived of, nor forego for the other 
rations. 

These prisons were a complete epitome of an over- 
crowded city, as impressed upon the visiter at his first 
walks through them. Here were trades and occupations 
of every kind carried on — a mixed population, made up 
from all nations of the earth — and every grade of society 
was here as distinctly marked as in towns and cities. 
None of the better classes mixed w r ith those beneath 
them, who in their turn let no opportunity slip whereby 
they could vent their scorn at those who aimed at gen- 
tility, without having the means of carrying it out; and 
these again had to submit to the taunts of those of a still 
lower grade, for trying to ape their betters. 

Here with stiff and measured step stalks the aristocrat; 
his cane, his only companion, and the only article of his 
former gentility, he knowingly carries beneath his arm, 
as they are folded magisterially across the breast, more to 
hide the lack of a shirt-bosom than to impart ease to his 
gait. Now minces the former dandy, whose bland smile, 
well cultivated teeth, and ease of salutation, are but little 
less graceful than when his liberal salary as a broker's 
clerk, enabled him to display them in the drawing-rooms 
of the great, to the envy of those less endowed with 
nature's gifts. By his eagerness to join company with 
those gamblers, is plainly told the cause of his being com- 
pelled to leave his home for a sea life, and as plainly pro- 
phecies that his reform is past hope. Yonder swaggers 
the blackguard — not by association, but by nature and 
desire ; he strives to utter oaths more harsh than others, 



A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOT. 185 

displays his slouching walk and tattered dress with pride, 
and glories in his vulgarity, while, from the bottom of his 
heart, he despises those who would appear better than 
himself. 

A man that had the least respect for himself while at 
home in his own country, here showed it; the brawling 
blackguard here, was such before his imprisonment, and 
will continue the same ever after, let him be where he 
may. Each member had his home at his mess table, and 
none ever thought of sitting where he was not known, or 
had no business to communicate. Were one to take a 
seat uninvited among strangers, he would as soon be asked 
his motives, as if he walked into the sitting parlour of a 
fashionable dwelling, and seated himself with the family 
at the fire-side circle. 

Here were those of thrift, ingenuity, industry and 
honesty, as also those who were more willing to rob than 
to w r ork, to frolic than to learn, to fight than to play — 
whose every aim was to pounce upon the weak and un- 
wary, that were unable to defend themselves, either by 
friends or bodily strength. For such were the regulations 
made; and to their praise be it said, that they were more 
strictly put in force here, than is the case generally in 
large communities. All well disposed members, who 
were in much greater proportion to the unruly, than in 
many of our seaboard cities, were always willing to assist 
in having the laws w r ell maintained, and the aggressors 
brought to punishment. 



16* v.2 



186 



CHAP. X. 

BEGINNING OF THE DISCONTENT WHICH LED ON TO 
THE MASSACRE. 

The writer has always looked upon this period, as the 
commencement of that discontent which gathered strength 
with the one party, whilst the irascible temper and vin- 
dictiveness of the other kept pace with it, till a rupture, 
bringing bloodshed, was the result. Instead of the ani- 
mosity lessening, every circumstance seemed to widen 
the breach between the inmates of the prisons and the 
governor of the Depot, who at all times was too ready to 
make use of his authority to irritate, rather than to soothe 
the turbulent spirits* of those placed within his control. 

Each of the prisoners was allowed by his govern- 
ment, two and a half pence per day, which was termed 
'tobacco money.' For the purpose of expediting the pay- 
ment of so many small sums, the list was called as 
numbered upon the book of registry, every thirty-second 
day ; when each successive sixth man received two one- 
pound notes, to be divided as best they could among the 
six, when changed or discounted by the market people, or 
by the brokers at the larger gambling tables. 

The anxiety of the prisoners had risen almost to 
phrenzy, at the non-arrival of the 'Favourite,' with de- 
spatches from the United States, many supposing she had 
returned, but that the information was kept back in mere 
wantonness, to torment them, although the papers we 
received both from Plymouth and London, appeared to 
manifest as much anxiety as ourselves, for the arrival of 
the sloop-of-war, to learn the final result of the negocia- 
tions, all hoping it might be favourable — that peace would 
be proclaimed, and we at once be liberated. 

The rejoicings at the news received of the victory 
gained by the American troops, over the British veterans, 



DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 187 

before the city of New Orleans, had not entirely subsided, 
when, on the fifteenth of March, it was cried through the 
prisons, that the 'Favourite had arrived two days previous, 
bringing the ratification of the treaty of Ghent, and that 
Peace was between the United States and Great Britain.' 

All was now joy, congratulation, good humour, life and 
jollity. None supposed we should be in prison a week 
longer, judging from the promptness with which the 
French were removed, when Bonaparte first abdicated, 
the whole eighty thousand being on their way home, 
within ten days after peace between England and France 
was promulgated abroad. 

Twenty-nine of the thirty-two days had already ex- 
pired, on receiving this joyful news, when each of the 
prisoners would receive his six-and-eight-pence, which 
would be just in time to expend while on the road to 
Plymouth to join the cartel that was to take them 
across the Atlantic. The whole prisons were alive with 
glee, mirth and frolic, each striving to do or say some- 
thing, to make manifest the effervescent overflowings of 
his grateful heart, for the abundant good showered upon 
him thus in profusion. 'What,' said one, which was the 
sentiment of thousands, 'a glorious victory, a happy peace, 
a speedy return, and money in abundance ! — wonderful, 
wonderful ! — too much good — hurrah for the President of 
the United States!' and up went the hats and caps, those 
lacking this necessary covering in cold weather, mani- 
fested their joys equally with the others, by prancing a 
few steps upon their hands, heels up. Some who were 
better shod, insidiously circulated, that this manoeuvre was 
to give their bare feet a spell from the frosty pavement, 
but it was not so; for every one had gained such a 
feverish heat, that no frost could penetrate their bodies, 
even without the necessary clothing to fend off. 

The roughest of the Rough Alleys showed symptoms 
of an anxiety for removal, though the majority had never 
been better fed, clothed or lodged, than while here, nor 



188 DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 

could they reasonably expect to be again so well pro- 
vided for, till lodged in the public prisons of some of the 
States, where they deserved to have been before crossing 
the Atlantic. 

Whilst one was speculating at the many good things 
he should lay in with the forthcoming six-and-eight 
pence, another was going into an abstruse calculation 
how he could pay his numerous debts to his grocer, his 
tea vender, his plum-gudgeon seller, and his washer- 
woman. The least debt owing; to each, was greater than 
his money in prospective, without mentioning the many 
small sums borrowed from one and all of his numerous 
friends, while the larger amounts lost at the gambling 
tables, for which notes had been given, w r as not thought 
of, being beneath the notice of so worthy a class. Each 
was striving hard to learn how he could satisfy the whole, 
and still have a sufficiency to carry him to Plymouth, in 
a style commensurate to his former standing in society. 

On the other hand, were the grocers, the caterers, 
the teachers, the cobblers, the tinkers, the dispensers of 
artificial coloured water, yclept coffee and tea, the numer- 
ous class of black-legs, who had been lucky enough to 
conceal their trickeries and cheatings, so as not only 
to win the ready money of their dupes, but also their 
next month's pay in advance, which to make safety 
doubly sure, they had taken a regular transfer from the 
one that should receive it, signed and sealed, as prescribed 
by an order from the clerk's office, for those who chose to 
assign their coming pay to their creditors. 

While this excitement was rising to fever heat, with- 
out a safety-valve to check its farther progress, and pre- 
vent an explosion, pay-day came, passed over, but no 
money jingled in the pockets of the prisoners. The 
grocer looked as blank as did the sum total of his bills 
receivable, for his stock wanted renewing, which could 
not be done with an empty till. The coffee vender 
turned darker than was ever the beverage he sold, and 



DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 189 

felt as flat as tasted his slops. The plum-gudgeon mer- 
chant felt, with his last month's earnings in the hands of 
others, much like a fish out of water, saying, 'of all I have 
caught, I am the greatest gudgeon.' The gambler said, 
'nothing will reconcile me to my loss, only that it cost 
me nothing, except a chance of a hereafter grilling,' and 
looked much like the biter bit. The teacher shut his 
books, saying, 'henceforth let darkness and ignorance 
prevail, for with all my knowledge, I have not where- 
with to buy a loaf; now full well do I know the meaning 
of the dark a^es.' The caterer, whose fat was all in the 
fire, turned his dishes bottom up, discharged his scullion, 
showed demonstrations of making minced meat of his 
creditors, and reluctantly went to bed sober. 'Let my 
goose,' said the tailor, 'hiss and fritter away the spittle 
of discontent, while the shears hang their lank straddle 
upon the peg of complaint — no longer will I braid my 
legs into a setting stool for others to jeer at ; let the world 
know, to its uttermost skirts, henceforth / am a man, 
a whole man ! Avaunt ! ye cabbage, I eschew thee, for 
I have not the means to buy the pork to make thee palat- 
able.' '0, ye gods and little goddies !' said the cobbler,' 
'may them vat's sow'd me hup, eat noffin but heel-taps 
vried in vax vor brekust, soles grill'd in warnish vor 
dinner — vat's left 'arsh'd hup cold vor suppur,' and 
showed by his scowling sourness, he knew the taste of 
the hash. The washer-women turned their tubs bottom 
up, into seats, saying, 'the chance of laying in soap was 
all in hopes, while now our hopes are all in the suds, 
with a chance of the suds being no suds, for to make 
suds without soap is contrary to all usage, (the easing of 
the soap must be had, or no suds cometh,) let alone the 
damage to one's reputation as a good artisan, without 
this necessary adjunct, besides the wear and tear to one's 
knuckles is a sandal to all good feelings.' Those in bad 
credit were vexed and astonished, that mankind should 
ever be otherwise than prompt in money affairs. 



190 DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 

The excitement was rising higher and higher — one 
supposed the mail containing the necessary funds was 
waylaid and robbed, another judged the late heavy 
rains had so damaged the roads, that they had become 
impassable, while those of more mature judgment, sagely 
nodded their heads with measured swing, knowingly inti- 
mating, they could easily unravel the whole, should they 
condescend to utter but a word. Whilst this man averred 
all was wrong:, the other declared nothing; was rig;ht; some 
said, 'good gracious! how cometh this grievous disorder?' 
more with grief avowed an order for the money would be 
good enough without the grace ; while these swore they'd 
have it, as many stood ready to back them; as one thought 
one thing, another guessed at another thing, till at last 
all came unanimously to the conclusion (a rare circum- 
stance in so large a community, and on so excitable a 
question,) that pay-day had come, passed by, but no mo- 
ney was seen to make glad the hearts of the expectants. 

To give this wave of excitement its toppling curl, a 
notice came from the prisoner's agent, at London, Mr. 
Beasley, 'that as his orders were to pay the prisoners their 
per diem, during the war, and as nothing was said in the 
instructions, what disposition he should make with the 
funds in hand, after the war had ceased, he must wait for 
new orders from his g-overnment, before he could act 
farther in the matter.' 

What was an excitement before, was now a very whirl- 
wind of rage and wrath ; fierce spirits were let loose, more 
demoniacal in their terrific fury, than pen can describe or 
man can imagine, threatening an explosion, as destructive 
to the welfare of themselves and others, as the pent up 
fires of an .Etna or a Strombolo, to the surrounding neigh- 
bourhood. 

Meetings were called, propositions propounded, backed 
by resolutions of a nature to destroy the propositions ; — 
memorials were drawn, adopted, cancelled, torn up and 
afterwards reconsidered, all in the same half hour, for not 



DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 191 

being sufficiently strong in their wording, or for express- 
ing more than could be understood by their intended 
meaning. Some moved to have the money, and that at 
once. To this none objected, but the cooler portion 
thought it doubtful whether the intention of the resolu- 
tion could be carried into effect, or the object of the 
mover realized, by the wide bearing it took, without spe- 
cifying how the money should be forthcoming. A larger 
number were for marching direct to London, storm it, and 
raze Beasley's house to the ground and lynch him after- 
wards. Here objections were raised by the afraid popu- 
lation doubting whether he carried the needful about his 
person, the leg-treasurer system then not adopted to any 
extent; and, strange as it may seem, where the object 
was for the good of all, that any should be found in the 
negative ; but so it was, this resolution like the last, met 
with a sturdy opposition, by its taking a latitude which 
might be more dangerous, if reached, to the conquerors, 
than the one intended to be chastised. 

Business came to a stand, all employments ceased, 
undertakings were abandoned when nearly completed ; 
stocks were low, spirits were low, but lower than either 
was credit. No one could get a splinter for a toothpick, 
otherwise than as a free gift. We were shunned by the 
market people, as though we were lepers, or smitten with 
the plague. All were bankrupts, none could sneer at his 
neighbour's misfortunes, without bringing his own to mind. 

Beasley's effigy was paraded about the yards, amid the 
hooting shouts and mad ravings of the enraged crowd — 
placarded and hung to a lamp-hook, in full view of the 
surrounding garrison, for several hours. Afterwards it 
was stoned, pelted, torn down, and cast into the cutter, 
to await the scavenger cart's daily round, when it was 
loaded up with the other filthy scrapings of the prisons, 
and deposited upon the common dung-heap without 
the walls to rot; all regretting that these distinguished 
honours should not be showered upon himself in person. 



192 DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 

Amidst the howlings of the mob, whose reckless tern* 
pers, yelling shrieks, or heavy groans, kept all in a tumult, 
to add gloom to a scene already too horrific, a fierce tem- 
pest was raging; — the elements, bringing a murkiness but 
a little removed from night, lent their hurricane aid to 
make still more hideous the unlicensed rage of the whole. 

Notes were taken of these proceedings, forwarded to 
London, and there published, as can be seen by any one 
who has the curiosity to search a file of the Times news- 
paper, of March, 1815. Beasley had the impudence to 
write to the committee of the prisons, asking why he was 
thus harshly treated, when at the same time he was doing 
every thing to relieve their wants and sufferings ? 

I have lived to see excitements in monetary affairs — 
single banks fail, a wholesale sweep of those throughout 
the country, refuse specie for their 'promises to pay,' for 
the third time. I have likewise lived to see the rush of 
mobs, when even the brave stood aghast with horror at 
the demolition these more than fiends were making, while 
their exulting yells were reverberating over the ruins their 
hellish doings had caused; yet I have never seen such 
an excitement as was here caused by the prisoners not 
receiving their dues. 

Had Mr. Beasley searched his instructions thoroughly, 
immediately before the passage quoted in his letter to the 
committee, he might have seen, in characters equally 
legible with his favourite quotation, 'shall pay to each 
prisoner, two and a half pence sterling per day,' Sec. At 
least so read the copy of the instructions sent to the com- 
mittee for their information. For the convenience of the 
clerks, the committee consented to receive the money 
every thirty-two days, which no casuist will say exone- 
rated Beasley from the guilt of withholding what was due 
when peace was ratified. Because his instructions did 
not sufficiently specify, in his opinion, that he should pay 
to them the sum while confined in prison as prisoners of 
war, (the original intention of those instructions, as has 



DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 193 

since been satisfactorily proven,) he not only withheld 
what was falling due, but that which was past due, he 
kept from those who were entitled to receive it. 

The prisoners were not alone exasperated at this con- 
duct of our agent; for the officers of the garrison expressed 
their disapprobation freely at the niggardly conduct of this 
representative of our government. From these and other 
sources, the newspapers got hold of it — spreading to the 
world the meanness of the act, in all the varieties of edi- 
torial colouring which their hatred to the republic could 
devise, or their overflowing spleen at the recent defeat of 
their troops, could engender. 

Most of the employments slackened from this time for- 
wards, the prisoners thinking every day would be the last 
of their abode in this dismal habitation of a more dismal 
district. Besides, they had not the same inducements to 
labour as formerly; for those that manufactured could find 
no buyers; those who were willing to teach, had pupils 
that were as equally willing to learn, but had not the 
means to pay for their tuition, and were thus cut short 
in their studies, and launched into the world in that 
hazardous state, when 'a little learning is a dangerous 
thing;' and if the danger be in proportion to the little- 
ness of the acquirements gained by deep study, (what 
else could the writer of the quotation have meant ?) Mr. 
Beasley must have a heavier account to settle hereafter, 
by sending so many into society with so little learning, 
than he would have had with his government, for paying 
over to each man the amount of his due, and thereby 
enabled him to finish his education, and become a harm- 
less sojourner among mankind. 

Thanks to my whirligig bread-board, I did not feel the 
want of my month's grant of six-and-eight-pence, as many 
others did, who had nothing but their rations to depend 
on ; for the good luck with that still held out, though not 
in the same proportion as the first day when it was set 
agoing by the Doctor and myself. But the change was 
17 v.2 



194 DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 

early apparent that, ere long, it could afford me no farther 
relief, as well it might be, by each day lessening the 
amount of the money in the prisons, by the steady and 
continual drain of the market, while no more was coming 
in, either from new captives, man-of-war-men's wages, 
or from friends without. Thus every thins: was reduced 
to the cash principle, or specie basis, which brought 
goods down to the lowest possible price, while what we 
purchased in the market was as high as ever. Here we 
had an admirable illustration of this system, at first in 
detail or by degrees, and afterwards in full perfection. 
For those who had money, no times could be better ; but 
woe to him who had to toil for what his necessities de- 
manded. We could buy as much of what was manu- 
factured among ourselves for a penny, as before w r ould 
cost a sixpence ; while the necessaries from the market, 
which could not in total be dispensed with, were equally 
as high as when the present penny was worth the former 
sixpence. Every man that had a spare suit, sold it, 
thinking his term of imprisonment w r as at an end, and 
that he would shortly be in circumstances to replenish 
his stock of clothing, from sources different from those 
while here, within these stone walls. 

As soon as peace was proclaimed, the prisoners were 
upon the qui vive, to be in readiness for the first cartel 
which would be announced, and 'birth-rights' were offer- 
ing, and bidding for, from all quarters. These birth-rights 
were sold from those who were first on the list, to such 
as were numbered higher; for instance, No. 1 sold his 
chance of going out to No. 6, each assuming the other's 
name, when the list was called, in passing the gates. 
Prices varied according: to the difference existing; between 
the numbers, so that No. 6 could buy No. 1 for half the 
money No. 12 could purchase it, and so on in propor- 
tion. 

A friend of mine, whose relatives I knew before I went 
to sea, and who stood about the centre of the whole 



DISCONTENT OF THE PRISONERS. 195 

body of the prisoners, was offered the birth-right of a 
low number, but had not the necessary funds to pay for 
it, nor could he obtain it by the sale of his surplus ward- 
robe, by loan, or any other source. He made the offer, 
that if I could raise an equal sum with himself, he would 
give the original seller my name, which was among the 
highest, and I should take his ; thus giving each of us a 
chance of saining our freedom earlier than we otherwise 
should, by awaiting our regular turns. Any sacrifice was 
cheap to gain our liberties, if but a day earlier than by 
rotation. I sold one entire suit of blue, which had never 
been worn, besides several parts of other suits, and with 
what I had saved from my share of the whirligig bread- 
board, I had the desired sum, paid it over, and was two 
months nearer home, in anticipation, than before parting 
with my broadcloth garments. 

I was busily engaged making myself familiar with my 
adopted name, age, residence, former occupation, &c, so 
that I should not be taken unawares by cross-cut ques- 
tions, the detection of which would consign me where I 
then was to the last, even after my right time came, when 
word was brought that my quondam friend had taken a 
fancy, that he was at his old haunts in the States, and 
was on a spree. My air-built castle, though a bona fide 
purchase, seemed much like toppling at the first intima- 
tion of this unwelcome report, but when, on following up 
this delinquent, I saw- the goodly display of six-shilling 
bottles of Jamaica, with which he was regaling his nu- 
merous friends and acquaintances, in the prodigal and 
hilarious manner so peculiar to himself, I forthwith came 
to the conclusion, I might as well resume my own name, 
moralizing, that it was really expensive sporting under a 
borrowed plumage. 



196 
CHAP. XI. 

THE MASSACRE. 

•For once, drop all bombastic speech, 
And speak in sober earnestness.' 

I would that the above caption might be dispensed 
with, and deeply regret having to record events which 
compose the subject-matter of this chapter ; — not only 
from the gloomy nature of the circumstances abounding 
therein, the unpleasant reflections which they bring to 
the mind, or the sad result of the whole, but from the 
meagerness of historical material on record, to which 
one can refer to aid him in his unwelcome task. The 
many who have read the history of those times, know 
there was a massacre of the American prisoners in con- 
finement at Dartmoor, but beyond this, little is known ; 
all is in apparent darkness, without the seeming possibi- 
lity of the circumstances attending this fatal event, being 
ever cleared of the obscurity, with which they are so 
mysteriously enshrouded ; or, that a full and satisfactory 
explanation can be given to the public, why these cap- 
tive Americans were murdered in cold blood. 

Ask our learned divines, why the prisoners at Dart- 
moor were fired upon ? They will say, because they were 
digging out. Turn to the bar, and put the same ques- 
tion to our certainly highly talented judiciary; the an- 
swer may be varied, but the result will be the same — 
'the prisoners were attempting to get out of their strong 
hold.' Let the many students in our numerous semi- 
naries of learning say to their well-read teachers and 
professors, 'be pleased to explain to us why it was, that 
the American prisoners were murdered in time of peace, 
a circumstance not known before, except in the most 
barbarous ages, or with savage nations, who are unre- 
strained by laws either human or divine ?' The answer 



THE MASSACRE. 197 

cannot be varied from the foregoing; for, with all their 
learning and acquirements, they have read nothing 
whereby they can gather any other result, than 'the pri- 
soners were working through the wall, with the inten- 
tion of gaining their liberty, and the garrison were forced 
to fire upon them, being justified for the measure by 
military usage.' 

Let the reader not suppose for a moment that I shall 
elucidate this affair; for it would be the height of pre- 
sumption in me to pretend that I can. But in the at- 
tempt, should I partially clear up that which has been 
shrouded in mystery a quarter of a century, and now 
nearly obliterated by forgetfulness, my aim is answered ; 
beyond this my ambition cannot soar. 

I have ever thought, as well at the time the investiga- 
tion was going on, and the inquiries were making, from 
the military platform, facing prison yard No. 7, as since, 
that, too little credit was given to what the prisoners said 
in evidence. It is a fact that cannot be contradicted, the 
strongest testimony which could be brought forward by 
the aggrieved, met with as little respect as circumstantial 
evidence, and far less than the hap-hazard assertions from 
the side of the aggressors. The prisoners were looked 
upon, not only by the British officers who were carrying 
on the investigation, but (with a single exception) by 
those who, if possessing any national feelings in common 
with their countrymen, might be supposed to hear alike 
both sides, as felons too low in the scale of society, to be 
entitled to the least credit; — whether on oath or not, they 
were all discredited, or heard but not listened to. Surely, 
out of six thousand men, there must have been some, who 
held an oath in reverential awe : all were not cut-throats 
and robbers, ready to swear away the life of a fellow mor- 
tal, or use the more summary process of the knife. 

The affidavits on the part of the prisoners, went posi- 
tively to show, that Shortland did give the word to fire : 
whilst the strongest evidence on the other side, onlv said 
17* vv2 



198 THE MASSACRE. 

'they did not hear him order the soldiers to fire, although 
the word was given by some one.' Who, .in a well- 
regulated corps, would dare give any word of command, 
except the one that commanded ? yet the official report, 
which exonerates Shortland from any blame, is based 
upon the sentence, 'no evidence is shown that he gave the 
word to fire.' 

The whole history of this bloody transaction can be 
summed up in a few words ; — That, to show the authority 
he possessed, and for the gratification of his revenge and 
malice, at the oft-repeated disrespect shown his person and 
station, did he order the fire, taking the then present 
opportunity as a pretext, when a few idlers were mis- 
chievously working a hole through a cross-wall that would 
have let them into a stronger hold, (if breaking out were 
their object,) than where they were already confined. 
Any other excuse would have answered his purpose 
equally as well ; for the prevailing opinion among the 
prisoners was, that Shortland had been seeking cause for 
a collision ten or fifteen days previous to the melancholy 
one in question ; for he had been heard to threaten them 
more than once with a sample of his chastisement. 

Had there been one on the part of the investigating 
committee, one whose nerves were sufficient to over- 
balance the fear and awe of being brought into juxta- 
position with the titled ones of England's nobility, we 
should have quite a different verdict to record against the 
perpetrator of this act. The uncommon glitter and splen- 
dour of the orders of these nobles, were such as to 
fascinate the eyes of the pigmy in company, and throw 
far into the shade the object of the investigation, who 
could only gather sense enough to say, 'you write, I will 
sanction.' 

The ultimate cause of Shortland's grand act, is un- 
doubtedly to be attributed to his ungovernable temper, 
his spite at being pestered by the prisoners while in the 
exercise of his various duties, and thwarted in the many 



THE MASSACRE. 199 

tyrannical acts, which he was ever displaying upon the 
slightest occasions. To prove which, I am thankful that I 
have other material beside that forming the ground-work 
of this narrative. 

The following is inserted to keep up the connexion of 
the work, and may be relied upon as truth, without preju- 
dice or party feelings towards any, leaving the reader to 
form his own conclusions. 

Four men had been sentenced to solitary confinement 
in the cachoi, or black-hole, to remain there during the 
war. The names of these were Simeon Hays, of Balti- 
more, John Miller, Englishman, James Rickor, and Elisha 
Whitten, of Mass. The first of these four, and the one 
more immediately connected with this subject, was for- 
merly taken when on board of the brig Matilda, letter-of- 
marque, bound to Bordeaux, sent to the Depot at Dart- 
moor, confined therein with the French prisoners, after- 
wards exchanged, returned to the United States, shipped 
on board of the privateer Surprise, of Baltimore, which, 
while on a cruise in the South Pacific Ocean, off the 
Scilly Islands, fell in with a fleet of merchantmen, and 
captured one that proved to be of no value. The above 
four persons were put on board of this prize, her own 
crew taken out, with the exception of the captain and 
mate, when they had orders to keep along with the priva- 
teer, which was fast coming up with the other vessels of 
the fleet. The intention of those in the Surprise was to 
make a cartel of the captured schooner, and if fortunate 
enough to take others, to put all the captive crews on 
board of the first, and let them find their way whither- 
soever they liked. 

While in full chase of the fleet, a British cruiser hove 
in sight, stood on after the privateer, for the purpose of 
protecting the fleet, and the whole were soon out of sight 
of the prize. When the prize-crew were left to them- 
selves, they appointed Elisha Whitten to take charge 
of the schooner, and intended to work their way back 



200 THE MASSACRE. 

to the United States, as best they could with their dull 
sailer. Upon an examination, they found but two pieces 
of meat on board, and bread sufficient to last them only 
eight or ten days at the farthest, with comparatively no 
water, yet they were thousands of miles from home. 
This scanty crew subsisted upon the oranges, with which 
the vessel was freighted, for several days, when a brig 
hove in sight, which they resolved should be their prize, 
either by stratagem or force. The schooner had four 
six-pounders, and a plentiful supply of ammunition. A 
signal of distress was made which attracted the attention 
of the stranger, who came within range of the guns of 
the prize, when she hove-to, and would venture no 
farther, not altogether liking the appearance of the sus- 
picious sail in distress. The four men with their four 
guns, began a sharp fire, which was kept up till the brig 
proved the best sailer, and was not long in getting out 
of their reach. 

The matches used for firm? the guns on board the 
schooner, were cast aside after being extinguished, in a 
careless manner, and some of them fell through the hatch- 
way to the hold of the vessel. 

Shortly after, the British frigate Ceres hove in sight, 
came up, sent her boat, and took off those in the schooner, 
put a crew on board from their ship, and was preparing 
to fill away, when she was hailed from the former, 
saying that burnt matches were placed among a number 
of kegs of powder in the hold, evidently with the design 
of blowing up the schooner, and sending all who should 
be in her to destruction. These four men were accused 
of evil intentions, notwithstanding their denying all know- 
ledge of the matches being among the kegs — stated how 
it must have occurred after the firing had ceased, pre- 
vious to the frigate coming up ; but it would not do, 
they were not believed, put in double irons, allowed but 
six ounces of bread per day, and so remained for the 
space of forty-two days, when they arrived in England. 



THE MASSACRE. 201 

On the board of admirality being informed of their sup- 
posed intentions, orders came, without the slightest trial 
or hearing, that the four men should be kept in solitary 
confinement during the war. They were sent to the 
prisons at Dartmoor, with instructions to the commandant 
of the Depot, Shortland, to see that the sentence was fully 
carried into effect. 

During their confinement, much sympathy was mani- 
fested for their sufferings, by those at large in the prisons, 
and relief given by subscriptions, which was conveyed 
to them clandestinely, through the agency of their kind 
and generous-hearted jailor, Carley, an Irishman, with 
Irish warmth of feelings for those in distress, who never 
let an opportunity slip without administering to their com- 
fort, when it was possible to avoid the lynx eyes of his 
superior, the commandant, who was determined to carry 
his orders to the utmost extent of severity. For the first 
four months, they never had a light, but afterwards this 
man smuggled to them candles regularly, although the 
detection would have deprived him of his ollice. 

After these men had suffered solitary confinement six 
months, their sentence was so far ameliorated, as to allow 
them to walk, for half an hour each day, by the side of 
the sentries. Whilst walking, much curiosity was mani- 
fested by the other prisoners to see them, which generally 
called to the gratings, opposite to where the men were 
walking, a crowd of some two or three hundred. The 
cachot being situated in the space between the circular 
picket grating, and the inner wall, as described in the last 
chapter, means were found to communicate with these 
unfortunates, (for they were allowed conversation with 
none,) and a plan adopted for one or more of them to 
escape to the prisons, within the picket fence. But they 
resolutely refused to come into measures, that could 
in any wise compromise their philanthropic jailor. Sun- 
day, however, he would be absent, as he was a strict 
churchman, and never missed his hour at the morning 
service. 



202 THE MASSACRE. 

The four men were permitted to walk as heretofore, but 
they were more closely watched than usual, till their time 
had nearly expired, when Simeon Hays, after following 
closely in the footsteps of one of the four sentries, till 
the others turned to retrace their steps, in their to and fro 
marchings, (with their faces opposite to the prisoner,) 
jumped to the gratings, nimbly reached the top, and threw 
himself headlong amidst the gathered crowd on the oppo- 
site side, escaping the shot with which the sentry from 
the wall saluted him, as he was making his daring pitch. 
This occurred the last of February, or the first week in 
March. 

The escaped repaired to No. 1 prison ; but as means 
were immediately adopted to have him ferreted out, he 
was transferred to No. 4, and metamorphosed into a 
darkey, to correspond with his associate mess. Next 
morning the doors were all kept closed till the inmates 
were counted out singly, with the jailor in attendance to 
identify his lost bird ; but none could he see, who at all 
corresponded to the one he had waited on for the last 
nine months. 

After counting out the men singly, perambulating the 
prisons and yards continually, for some days, and every 
other means had failed of identifying the man, an order 
came from the commandant, peremptorily demanding the 
prisoners to give up Hays, with a threat that the market 
should be stopped for the space of ten days. The crier 
paraded the buildings, beginning with No. 1, and going 
through them all in regular succession, saying: 

'Shall the prisoner, Simeon Hays, be given up, to be 
again sent to the cachot? Aye, or no!' 

'No, no! never!' resounded from every quarter ; not a 
voice among the six thousand was heard to respond aye. 
The threat of Shortland was carried into effect, and the 
market was suddenly closed. Thus all within the prisons, 
were deprived of every thing but their bare allowance. 
Neither bread, meat, vegetables, coals, nor any thing else, 



THE MASSACRE. 203 

could be had from without; and the little that the few 
happened to have on hand, immediately went up from 
one to four hundred per cent. — far beyond the reach of 
any but the gamblers, who would purchase, whilst their 
money held out, at any price. In the mean time the 
' jailor was busily perambulating the yards and searching 
the prisons, doing his best to gain his lost reputation, by 
securing the man who had escaped from his charge, while 
he was away from his post; the hour he was spending in 
devotional piety, was no excuse in the eyes of Captain 
Shortland, for what occurred during his absence. 

From a cause not known, but it was supposed, some 
one had given the information, with the hope of gaining 
the offered reward, (had the informant been found out, his 
expected reward would have done him but little good,) 
the fugitive was traced to No. 5, whose numbers were 
a^ain counted out, with as little effect towards his recogni- 
tion, as when he was under the covering of the cook's 
smut, in No. 4. Here he passed through all the grades 
of colouring, from that of his own skin, to the tawny red 
of the Indian, which, under the atmosphere of the dan- 
gerous territories he was in, was soon again darkened to 
the blackamoor of the African wilds. His dress was, 
also, as changeable as his skin ; for what was becom- 
ing as a morning suit, was not fashionable for a dinner 
full dress, and that again had to give place to the fanciful 
rug-suit, of some waggish handicraft's pastime, making the 
wearer a very scaramouch, beyond the penetrating eyes 
of the jailor or his hard-hearted senior in command, 
(who, in their passage, were often jostled by the acting 
clown, with a facetious salutation peculiar to his nature,) 
even should the latter begin with his scrutiny, before his 
after-dinner libations made him less sharp. 

Affairs appeared to be rapidly approximating towards a 
conflict, in No. 5, by the prisoners refusing to go out when 
ordered, for the purpose of a more thorough search ; and 
the fears of the more orderly portion were nowise lessened 



204 THE MASSACRE. 

when a body of fifty or sixty soldiers were marched in, 
with commands to drive all out to a man, at the point of 
the bayonet. An order easily issued, but difficult to be 
carried into execution ; for wherever a squad of men could 
be seen together, a push was made at them by the sol- 
diers, who followed them through the long alleys, up one 
flight of stairs, only to dive down the other, till the squad 
dwindled into nothingness, after many had displayed their 
agility in the chase, before the soldiers' front, by throwing 
somersets, apeing the frog in his graceful leaps, or using 
his companion's shoulders as a vehicle to help him for- 
ward in his race, having ample time to cheer on the 
others, between thumping the ribs of his rozinante and 
daring the soldier officer to bet who should first tire, the 
rider, the ridden, or those in chase. But while this crowd 
was dispersing, a much larger had formed in the soldiers' 
rear, which proved far more annoying, by their whoop- 
ing, yelling, bleating, and cutting every ridiculous figure 
devils in human shape could imagine. Instead of the 
soldiers' work being done after dispersing the first body, 
they had now to change fronts, and retrace the same 
ground their victory had so lately brought them over, and 
with the like success. 

This racing back and forth, up and down, to and fro, 
the turnkey foresaw would end where it began, only that 
the soldiers would become too much blown to stand guard 
the coming night, and forthwith sounded a parley. He 
stated to Capt. Shortland, that the prisoners were mostly 
seamen, with seamen's propensities and prejudices, who 
would not be driven by soldiers ; but if he were permitted 
to take the usual course of clearing the prison, he would 
answer for it that they should go out quietly. Shortland 
withdrew his red-coats, the turnkey blew his horn, told 
the prisoners his wishes, and in twenty minutes not a 
man could be seen within the building. 

Had a certain stone been raised, the lost would have 
been discovered, coiled in a space that would not hold a 



THE MASSACRE. 205 

tithe of the now well-fed proportions of mine host of the 
Baltimore House. Whether this ground sweat moistened 
the seeds of his growth, or the oft heavy tread of the Bri- 
tish soldiery upon his protecting stone above, roused his 
ambition, to quit the ghostly semblance of a man and ap- 
pear in the portly shape of an alderman, to drop the ideal 
shadow of humanity and don the burley front of a boni- 
face, is not known ; but certainly no one can recognize in 
the robust, mirthful face of the dispenser of the finest 
wild game in the country, the dispirited, lank, lean, 
sunken-featured prisoner of the cachot, who had stirred 
up in strife a company of the royal Somersetshire militia. 

No sooner did Shortland see that the prisoners paid 
more respect to the turnkey's requests, than they had to 
his threats and commands, backed by his company of red- 
coats, than he furiously swore that they should return to 
the inside of the building, therein be locked close, and 
kept without water, till they consented to give the man 
up. To do without water the prisoners knew was impos- 
sible ; to give up the man was not only backing out, 
but it would be breaking a pledge revolting to their feel- 
ings ; and to avoid the disagreeable result of the cap- 
tain's threatenings, was only for them to remain outside 
where the water was, and let the choleric captain find 
and take his man where and when he could. 

Now commenced a scene that had only been enacted 
upon a miniature scale within the building. If the sol- 
diers plead insufficiency of field to display their deploy- 
ings, their solidings, their squarings, their facings, their 
wheelings, and their bayonetings, to advantage, while in- 
side the prison, here they could not; for they soon found 
after passing round the extensive yard at a dog-trot two or 
three times, being half blown with their late fatigue and 
cumbersome accoutrements, the circle was alike too large 
to be often paced over, or to corner the reprobate clan in 
their front, that was augmenting here as rapidly as at 
times it was diminishing at the inside race, at which .they 
18 v.'2 



20G THE MASSACRE. 

had so lately been displaying the suppleness of their joints 
to no purpose. 

I went into the yard for the sole object of indulging 
my curiosity, and to see the conclusion of this ridiculous 
affair, which had been carried on so laughably within the 
building, when I saw at the upper part of the yard, the 
two parties balancing about for awhile, one striving to 
keep clear of the bayonets of the other, without any 
seeming prodigal waste of farther space between them, 
till at last the current took a downward sweep towards 
where |I was standing. Not liking to be drawn in, or mix 
with either party, as I was like to be, if I remained sta- 
tionary, (being yet too weak from my late indisposition to 
move faster than a walk,) I went up the flight of stone 
steps which led to the rear door of No. 5 prison, where I 
stood sufficiently high to overlook the whole, and be out 
of the fray, which many supposed would end with the 
soldiers firing, to such a length had the prisoners carried 
this tantalizing frolic. 

As the crowd wheeled round at a rapid pace, to pass 
between buildings Nos. 5 and 6, the prisoners being in a 
solid body of from one to two thousand, and not more 
than ten paces in advance of the presented muskets of 
the soldiers, a boy caught up a stone, turned, and threw 
it directly at Shortland's head, with all the force his 
young strength could give it. The stone passed as near 
the cheek of Shortland, who was on a line to the left of 
the company, as possible without grazing it. He halted 
his men instanter, and quick as thought, gave the word to 
fire, as distinctly as the extreme agitated state of his mind 
would admit. 

I shall never, till the latest moment I retain my senses, 
forget my sensations at that instant. Not from fear alone 
did the curdling chill take its hold upon me, for my situa- 
tion was one of comparative security, as the high steps on 
which I stood, w r ere exactly upon the right of the line 
as it was halted, about six or eight paces distant ; but the 



THE MASSACRE. 207 

shudder arose from the expectation of the immediate effu- 
sion of blood, that must follow from the discharge of the 
fire-arms upon those in front of the line. There was 
standing, within twelve paces, the whole of that solid 
bodj r , which the soldiers were trying to scatter, and who 
now were faced about, looking unconcernedly upon the 
presented muskets of those that had the word to fire. 
The officer in command of the company stepped for- 
ward, as soon as he heard the word given out, waved the 
muskets up with his unsheathed sword, with as much 
military suavity of deportment and coolness of action, 
as though he was on drill duty under the eye of the 
Prince Regent. Shortland threw up his extended arm 
and cane, to give greater force to the command, and said, 
as loud as he could screech, 'you dam'd ***** 
fire !' The officer again threw himself immediately before 
his line, who had dropped their muskets once more to 
the level of their cheeks, and with the authoritative, 'as 
you were!' prevented the effusion of blood, that must 
have followed the carnage of so deadly an aim, at so 
near a compact body, as was standing in their front. 

Shortland saw that his orders were not obeyed, turned 
his eyes an instant to the ground, said not a word, but 
left the yard alone, and was shortly afterwards followed 
by the company of soldiers, without being at all molested 
by the crowd ; nor did the latter display any noisy mirth, 
or show the least disrespect at the former, within my 
hearing, while passing out. During the short space of 
time, from the halting of the line to the prevention of 
Shortland's second command to fire being fulfilled, I did 
not hear a word spoken ; and when the muskets were 
levelled from the double rank of soldiers, upon this near 
body of prisoners, there was not the least fluttering among 
those in front, to screen themselves by edging into the 
crowd. The only observable motion was a thrusting of 
the hands to the pockets, to be in readiness with each 
his knife. 



208 THE MASSACRE. 

It appeared to me that one uniform presentiment per- 
vaded the body of prisoners for the instant, amounting 
to a supposed security, that the enormity of the act was 
too great to be carried into execution. Had the command 
to fire been obeyed, it must have killed hundreds, yet 
there would have been enough remaining to have riven 
the hearts from their murderers, before re-loading, if no 
better weapons offered, than the teeth of the aggrieved. 

I have not the least doubt, nor had those who saw 
Shortland's manner at the above scene in the yard, that his 
mind was made up to be revenged upon the prisoners at 
the first opportunity, and at the slightest infringement of 
the prison regulations ; and that period, those of more reflec- 
tive minds saw, could not be far distant, with the present 
excitement the prisoners were labouring under, which was 
brought about by various causes. The principal of these 
were, the withholding of the tobacco money, the men 
being retained in prison after peace Avas proclaimed, the 
stoppage of the market, and the harsh treatment of being 
driven about like condemned criminals, at the point of the 
bayonet, when they would and did willingly submit to 
such restrictive regulations as the civil authorities pre- 
scribed. 

We crave pardon of him that is burrowed, for any 
seeming neglect, but to the chain of events, that could 
not well be broken, rather than to any forgetfulness on 
the part of his friends, must he attribute his extra half- 
hour's burial. 

After the commotion had subsided, the stone was lifted, 
and the nearly suffocated man was brought to the fresh 
air once more, almost exhausted, from being thus long 
and closely entombed. He declared, he would sooner 
return to his former cell, than again be doubled into 
a hole, not large enough to contain a fox in a be- 
coming attitude. 'For,' said he, 'I had the greatest 
difficulty, while the soldiers were probing with their 
bayonet's between the crevices of the stones, to refrain 






THE MASSACRE. 209 

from calling out, that it was fresh air I wanted, and not 
cold steel!' 

A few days after these events, his friends met to com- 
memorate the successful manner they had frustrated the 
intentions of Shortland, of securing his stray prisoner. 
After the toasts had all been expended, the escaped, 
thinking still his 'disguise' was sufficient to deceive the 
jailor's scrutiny, became daring, ventured into the yard, 
was recognized and apprehended. Not that the charac- 
ter was shammed, or not well kept up to nature, but, 
that old Garley, being more conversant with zigzag 
movements, than with the delicate tints and bold shades 
of the cook's smuttings — having had more experience 
in the vociferous out-pourings of 'moistened clay,' than 
he possessed curiosity to analyze the ludicrous grimace 
and harlequin antics of a scaramouch dress, was enabled 
to identify, and, with the help of the guard, to secure his 
man, who to the present day avers, that he never should 
have been captured, only for being cornered. He was 
sent back to the cachot, but suffered a nominal punish- 
ment of only ten days confinement, after which he was 
liberated, and soon left the prisons. 

The above particulars, with additions, mine host will 
relate in his own facetious way, to any who may favour 
him with a call, and who has the curiosity to listen to 
an interesting tale, made the more diverting, by his pecu- 
liar manner of gracing it with well-told incidents, too 
numerous for an insertion here. The reader must know, 
as I have before hinted, that his early vocation to 'reef 
and steer' has given place to a calling, in which, not only 
his friends, but his over-charged larder and well covered 
board, say, he is better fitted to become popular. 

From this time, eight or ten days previous to the 
massacre, we were not interfered with or molested, but 
were allowed to pursue our own course, which made 
many believe, that those who had the command were 
affraid to carry any harsh measure into effect. This 
IS* v.2 



210 THE MASSACRE. 

caused the unruly to be more arrogant, and they showed 
less willingness to submit to the rules under which they 
were to be governed, than before any misunderstanding 
had taken place between themselves and the authorities 
of the Depot. 

These preliminary remarks must be the only excuse 
the writer has to offer for the tediousness, with which he 
has unavoidably loaded this chapter. His aim has been 
to show that the blame rested with both parties ; but 
with this difference, however, that the greatest offence 
of the one was indulged in mostly through the love 
of mischief, or carried on under the guise of good hu- 
moured frolic, whilst the other persisted in his authori- 
tative commands with the most vindictive arrogance and 
hatred to those under his control — recoiling and made 
the more galling to the one it emanated from, by the 
cool indifference with which his conduct was received, 
or by the jeering contempt with which his threats were 
spurned. With one of better temper than Shortland, all 
collision might easily have been avoided, without endan- 
gering his standing as a military jailor, or lessening his 
renown, by not shedding the blood of unarmed prisoners 
of war. 

Notice came on the third of April, that, in future, half 
the quantity of hard biscuit would be given to the pri- 
soners, in lieu of the soft bread they had been receiving. 
This was done to give the contractors, who furnished the 
prisons with bread, an opportunity of getting rid of his 
large stock of hard biscuit, which he was of necessity 
obliged to keep on hand, in case any accident should 
occur, by the blocking up of the roads with snow in 
winter, or from any other cause, whereby his contract 
might be endangered or forfeited, by his not complying 
with it according to its stipulated agreement. The pri- 
soners were asked in the usual way by the crier, whether 
they were willing to receive three-fourths of a pound of 
hard stale biscuit, instead of the pound and a half of 



THE MASSACRE. 211 

fresh bread they had been accustomed to receive, merely 
to enable the contractor to be rid of an unsaleable article. 
The answer was unanimously 'No! no! never!' Orders 
were given to the cooks to demand such bread as they 
had always received on the following morning, and refuse 
the biscuit. This was strictly adhered to. 

The majority of those who had nothing but their ra- 
tions to eat, generally devoured the whole at once, and 
then fasted till again supplied. With such, it went hard 
to be without their usual allowance of bread in the 
morning, and many showed symptoms of riot early in 
the day, their numbers increasing as the day advanced, 
which the officer on duty saw, as was evident, by his 
doubling the guard in the market square, the principal 
scene of noise and disorder during market hours. At 
the usual time of retiring to their respective prisons, 
many could not be prevailed on to go in, but were ga- 
thering about the gate at the market, as though they 
there expected to be fed. One of the doors to each 
building was left open, for the purpose of admitting those 
from the outside, which gave egress to all who chose to 
go out and see the expected 'fun ;' for scarcely any 
doubted there would be riot and disorder before the un- 
ruly Rough Alleys, who were now made the more des- 
perate by the gnawings of hunger, could be prevailed 
upon to retire. Yet none supposed it would amount to 
any thing more than a few blank cartridges, with an 
attempt to force the men into the prisons. And I am 
reluctantly compelled to say, there were too many eager 
to bring on a conflict, if for nothing else than to exhibit 
their bravery under such a fire, ever displaying a con- 
trariness, by doing aught to vex the soldiery. In proof 
of this, at the risk of being prolix, I will narrate the 
following. 

About eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the day of 
which I am speaking, I went to the square, where many 
more prisoners had assembled than usual, and who were 



212 THE MASSACRE. 

much more disorderly. To overlook the intentions of the 
riotous, I climbed to the gratings, and stood immediately 
outside, and some five feet below, the military walk. I 
was soon after surrounded by a gang of the noisy, whose 
body had surged that way, and who began to assail the 
guard with the most opprobrious epithets. One of the 
number mounted the gratings, for the purpose of getting 
into the square, regardless of the two sentries on the other 
side bidding him desist, but who seemed loth to proceed 
to extremities to prevent him. The one on the walk 
above, after telling him to get down, and receiving a curse 
for his officious meddling, coolly turned the butt of his 
musket against the blackguard, and dropped him to the 
pavement. He, with two or three of his companions, 
gathered stones, mounted the picket, and absolutely drove 
the guards beyond the reach of their missiles. Had these 
fellows been taken into custody, there would have been 
an end to unquietness. But who could expect subordina- 
tion, when the soldiery were not firm enough to enforce 
their commands? 

At eight o'clock at night, the Rough Alleys had con- 
gregated about the market to the number of hundreds, 
when they, at their watchword, 'keno,' by their united 
strength, levelled the gate to the ground, leaving a free 
passage through the square, to the store-house above. 
Their cry was 'bread, bread! give us our bread!' The 
garrison were alarmed, the officers came out, begged them 
to be peaceable, that they should have their bread, as soon 
as it could be obtained, and if possible during the night. 
The prisoners saw the advantage they had gained, (by 
those in command exhibiting a fear or panic beyond their 
control,) and would not leave the square ; but remained 
for the most part quiet, with the exception of an occa- 
sional whoop, yell, or other noisy vociferation, as ever 
emanates from a disorderly crowd which has in any way 
gained its point. 

At ten o'clock the bread was given to the cooks as 



THE MASSACRE. 213 

usual, from them distributed to the different messes 
throughout the prisons, and all retired quietly to rest, 
after being locked up as heretofore. This was the only 
instance that the doors were not closed at sunset, while I 
was there, and the only time the turnkey could not pre- 
vail upon the men to retire, when desired by him. It 
must have been anticipated that prison-bread would have 
been wanted that day, else so large a quantity as 9000 lbs. 
could not have been procured after night-fall, and that 
of the same quality as always given out. Probably the 
former orders to the bakers had not been countermanded. 

Had the officer in command ordered his men to keep 
back the rioters at all hazard, as they were forcing their 
way through the gate, he would have been perfectly jus- 
tified, for it lay within the bounds of his duty ; but he 
relied upon the strength of those ponderous barriers, 
which gave way ere he supposed an effort was in agita- 
tion to remove them, and before he could rally the sol- 
diers, the square was filled with a half-famished, angry, 
overwhelming crowd, which it would have been dan- 
gerous in him to attempt to drive back with the force at 
hand, although amply sufficient to hold in check, before 
gaining the square. 

The sixth of April was unusually pleasant, a circum- 
stance so seldom, that most of the prisoners were enjoy- 
ing themselves out of doors, as best they could ; and so 
great a proportion of them had turned out, in the after- 
part of the day, that the gamblers were compelled to 
remove their tables of chance into the yards, or rest upon 
their oars, for the want of patronage. Some were amus- 
ing themselves one way, some another, for they had 
every variety of game that each could remember from 
his school-boy frolickings. 

A number were playing ball against the cross-wall, 
dividing the barrack-yard from that of No. 7. Among 
this party were four who had been captured when on 
boat duty, and belonging to commodore Chauncey's ship 



214 THE MASSACRE. 

Superior, on Lake Ontario, and I Ihink his bargemen ; at 
all events, they prided themselves much from the cir- 
cumstance of having sailed with so renowned an officer. 
They were no ways riotous, but were known throughout 
the prisons for being, in seamen's phrase, 'ready dogs and 
ripe for fun.' These men messed next to the one I joined 
in No. 5, and with whom I was well acquainted. In the 
course of the play, the ball was often thrown by accident 
over the wall, in the barrack-yard, and for some time, was 
as often thrown back by the sentry on the other side, till 
he through sulkiness refused to toss it again to the players. 
They tried to persuade him again to give it to them, as it 
was the only one they had, it affording them amusement 
and recreation, and lessened the tediousness of their cap- 
tivity. The only answer they could get from the sulky 
sentinel, was to 'come and take it.' 

This they considered as daring them to it; and, 'Chaun- 
cey's Tigers never took a stump,' at it they went, without 
implements, or any thing except what they could pick 
up in the yard, and in full view of the sentries upon the 
walls near-by. No notice of these doings was appa- 
rently taken by the officers of the garrison ; but indivi- 
duals from the committee of prison No. 5, begged them 
to desist, saying they were bringing not only themselves 
but others into trouble ; as the innocent must suffer, if 
a conflict was brought on, by their indulging in this fool- 
hardy frolic. Those engaged at the mischief, thought 
it too good a joke to leave unfinished, and kept busily 
at their digging, till the hole was sufficiently large to allow 
a man to pass through. 

The firing now commenced in the market square from 
a body of soldiers headed by Shortland in person, several 
rods from the place where the hole was made, and not 
the least endangering those who were the alleged cause 
of the massacre, nor was any one hurt within the range 
of the wall that was picked. An increased number of 
soldiers now first showed themselves upon the walls, over- 



THE MASSACRE. 0J5 

looking the whole, formed into squads, who kept up a 
constant firing, began the moment the reports were heard 
from the square, and continued as long as any prisoners 
were in sight. 

When the gate opened at the upper end of the market, 
to allow the soldiers to enter, the prisoners at the opposite 
end, supposed them to be none but the relief, having 
nothing in their appearance to indicate any other object, 
except being in greater numbers than usual, making their 
appearance the moment the alarm bell was rung, and 
accompanied by Shortland. Neither were the prisoners 
undeceived in the character or meaning of this body, 
until they formed a close front, and, while at a double 
quick-step, came to a charge at so close a proximity, 
that those in front found it impossible to retreat suffi- 
ciently rapid, to keep clear of the bayonets, by the 
others in the rear standing their ground, not seeing the 
manoeuvre of the soldiers, and consequently knew of no 
approaching danger, till Shortland gave the word to fire. 
So little did this crowd of prisoners suppose they were in 
peril, that one, who has since told me the fact, was 
carelessly looking through the gratings, a little apart from 
the main body, nor dreamed his person was in jeopardy, 
till the squad of soldiers approached, one pointed his 
musket downwards, within a foot of his knee, and blew 
all below to a jelly, splintering and mangling the thigh 
above in a horrible manner — almost beyond the hope of 
cure, till the third amputation alone staid mortification. 
This man is still living, and can testify to the above 
remarks. 

On the men rushing to the prisons for shelter, they 
unexpectedly found all the doors closed but one to each 
building; and these soon were choked by the great pres- 
sure formed, by all hurrying to be out of harm's way, 
thus retarding vu always, the admittance of the many that 
were continually increasing the crowd. Upon the wall, 
opposite the open door of No. 5, were a number of soldiers 






216 THE MASSACRE. 

posted, who kept up a continued fire upon this body of 
men, that were struggling for an entrance, as did the 
platoon which followed them from the market square. 
Here were more injured than elsewhere in the yard alto- 
gether; for the soldiers upon the wall opposite were 
much more sanguinary in their aim, than were those in 
other portions of the yard and surrounding wall, who kept 
their muskets elevated, so that they rattled the slate from 
the roofs of the buildings at every discharge. I was look- 
ing from a two-story window, and while there, a squad 
fired three vollies, the balls at each time striking around 
the window ; which showed they fired to obey orders, 
but elevated their muskets through humane motives of 
their own. 

After all had gained the inside of the prisons, the doors 
were fastened upon us, and we remained in anxiety and 
disquietude through the entire night, which was not 
alleviated, by their being kept closed on the following 
morning, long after the usual time for them to be thrown 
open. Many, more timid than the others, supposed pre- 
parations were making for a more wholesale slaughter. 

The wounded were called for an hour or two after we 
had been locked up, and such as were willing to go to the 
hospital, were assisted to the door, when the guard took 
them in charge. Many who were not badly hurt, would 
not go, having at all times a natural antipathy against 
going there, and under the present circumstances, they 
were more than ever opposed to give themselves into the 
hands of those belonging to a nation, whose soldiery had 
so recently butchered them in cold blood. 

To show the wanton cruelty of the soldiery, I will re- 
late but one instance, which came immediately under my 
observation, and one that is not mentioned in any report 
I have seen, although his name is among: the list of 
wounded furnished from the hospital, where he was sent 
after being brought into the prison. This boy, belonging 
to No. 5, was in the yard when the firing began, gained 



THE MASSACRE. 217 

the door in the rear of the building, found it fastened, 
ensconced himself closely in its recess, till the firing had 
entirely ceased, and he could see none in the yards, when 
he ran out, with the intention of reaching the one at the 
farther end of the building, and, while at his greatest 
speed, was levelled at by those upon the wall, and shot 
through the thigh. 

And yet there is another I cannot pass over without 
mentioning. This victim was of excellent standing and 
deportment, fine talents, amiable in disposition, and pos- 
sessed a form of a manly, unblemished symmetry, a 
countenance of bland, comely attractions, and a mind 
equally to be praised. John Washington had always 
been foremost in assuaging any acrimonious feelings which 
arose between the prisoners and their keepers, and was 
alike respected by both parties. He received a shot soon 
after the firing commenced, while attempting to gain the 
prisons with others — fell by the side of the wall, against 
which he sat, imploring his murderers to spare him ; but 
who, disregarding both his cries and his prayers, dis- 
charged their muskets while within a yard of him, and 
afterwards thrust their bayonets into his body. This was 
repeated by their unfeeling comrades as they came past, 
in mere wantonness of savage cruelty, even while life was 
not yet extinct. The death of this man was much de- 
plored, and its savage harshness excited more horror in the 
minds of the prisoners, and hatred towards its worse than 
Calmuc authors, than any other which took place during 
the massacre. It was said he had seven balls lodged in 
his body, besides his bayonet wounds, and all but the first 
shot, after he had fallen and was unable to rise. 

The whole number injured never can be ascertained, 
as the report came from the hospital, immediately under 
the direction of Shortland ; and however ready the 
English always have been, in their official accounts, to 
swell the list of killed and wounded of their opponents, 
no one will suppose them to take especial pride in making 
19 v.2 



218 THE MASSACRE. 

the sufferers here, in this massacre, greater than the 
reality. For he that would say, after the commission of 
an act that shall be a blot and a stain upon the page of 
England's history while history lasts, 'I am sorry that it 
is done,' (Shortland's words at the first interview with 
the committee, on the morning following the massacre,) 
would fain wish the world to know the extent of the 
crime should not, by its enormity, hide his sorrowings 
from generations to come. According to the report 
which was made out from the hospital, there were five 
killed and thirty-nine w T ounded ; two dying before or 
immediately after their dressings; while the one that 
came from the committee of the prisoners, since pub- 
lished, made the killed seven, and the wounded fifty-six. 

The sanguinary intentions of the commandant may 
be better understood, when it is known that the soldiers 
used buck-shot and slugs, as well as bullets, in loading 
their pieces. Many who were w r ounded by the buck- 
shot, did not report themselves to the hospital ; three, in 
particular, came within my knowledge, whose names are 
not included in the official return. I will not mention 
the number of those hurt, as currently rumored and be- 
lieved in the prisons, for it varied so far from the 'offi- 
cial' list, that candor will not sanction the insertion. I 
think it not unlikely, however, that there were as many 
more wounded, without ever being reported, as appears 
in the hospital return. 

In the investigations that followed, the delegates from 
among the prisoners were heard in part, but not listened 
to or believed, as is evident by the official report that 
emanated from those appointed to investigate the affair, 
which any one can see, by referring to the newspapers 
of that period, but which I shall be pardoned in not in- 
serting, as it is altogether foreign to my design. 

When we were permitted to go into the yards, we 
found the sentries all withdrawn, nor were they again 
stationed within them during our stay in prison. The 



THE MASSACRE. 219 

regiment which was on duty on the sixth of April, was 
replaced by another, and every measure adopted to pre- 
vent any future unpleasant rencontres between the sol- 
diers and the prisoners, who were henceforward allowed 
to do much as they pleased. Had it not been fojr the 
sentinels upon the walls, we had nothing to remind us 
that we were at all under the surveillance of a British 
soldiery. 

It was alleged that the sanguinary conduct of many 
of the soldiers is to be attributed to the following cir- 
cumstance : all spirituous liquor was prohibited by the 
authorities of the Depot from entering the prisons; and 
the only way to obtain it was by stratagem. This was 
mostly carried on by the women and others that came to 
the market, who secreted it about their persons, or among 
the vegetables in their baskets, and smuggled it into the 
possession of the traffickers in that line within the build- 
ings. The sentries, when on duty in the night time, for 
a gratuity above the usual price, likewise managed to 
introduce, either in leathern bottles, bladders, or with 
their musket barrels, no small quantity. A plan was set 
on foot, by some worthless fellows, for a larger purchase 
than usual, which they obtained, and paid for it in 
money of their own make, without the soldiers discovering 
the cheat, till daylight proved the deception of the trans- 
action, by the base coin they had received in the dark; 
when they were afraid to make a complaint, lest their 
own criminal conduct, of smuggling liquor while on duty, 
might be called in question, and prove a greater evil 
than the loss of the night's adventure. They were com- 
pelled to chew the cud of discontent in silence ; but the 
smothered venom rankled in their hearts, and they swore 
to be revenged. For this, probably, was the firing kept 
up by many, long after they had orders to cease, as the 
soldiers that had been thus treated were on duty at the 
time of the massacre. 

Had Capt. Shortland possessed a disposition the least 



220 THE MASSACRE. 

conciliating, no conflict would have ever taken place be- 
tween him and the prisoners, either in controversy or in 
deadly strife. But his long habits of commanding, and 
his ungovernable temper, were ever uppermost at the least 
fancied disrespect shown to his wishes, person or station. 
He early learned enough of the American seamen, to 
know, that, unlike the French prisoners who long and 
patiently suffered and submitted to his irritating conduct 
and provoking contumely, they would not be driven by 
soldiers, although they were easily persuaded by the civil 
authorities of the Depot, (turnkeys, clerks, surgeons, or 
their own committee,) to do aught that was required. 
For this did he display his littleness of heart, which 
ultimately came to the sad result I have been recording. 
He that had supreme command, he that was governor of 
all, could not brook the idea that the requests of others 
should be respected, while his commands were con- 
temned. 

If I have been more particular in recording what took 
place in yard No. 7, where the alleged cause of the 
firing existed, it is because I was an inmate of the same, 
and consequently had a greater opportunity of noticing 
the occurrences therein, than I had in those adjoining; 
although in the others, there were many circumstances, 
of which I was not an eye witness, concerning this 
atrocious affair, that are w r orthy of record. A platoon 
of soldiers followed up quickly each body of the pri- 
soners, as they sought shelter in their own respective 
dwellings, whose doors were previously closed, as in No. 
5, and in more than one instance, individuals were shot 
after gaining an entrance and supposing themselves in 
safety. 

I believe it is pretty generally known, that the British 
authorities disapproved of Shortland's 'hasty proceedings*,' 
and openly decreed that he should receive a reprimand 
for the blood he had caused to flow, and privately granted 
him a knighthood for the gallantry of his conduct. So 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 221 

soon did the one follow the other, that had there been any 
delay in administering the first, the second would have 
claimed precedence. 

It should be equally as well known, that the British 
government made provision for those, or their families, 
who were disabled or killed at the massacre. This pen- 
sion is continued to them to the present time, much to the 
relief of the afflicted, as can be seen by any one who has 
the curiosity to visit the Washington Medical College, in 
the Monumental City, where still stumps upon his wooden 
leg a last remnant and a sad relic of the massacre of 
Dartmoor. 



CHAP. XII. 

A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

From the time that the money was withheld which was 
due to the men, affairs in the prisons were for the worse. 
There was less willingness to submit to the regulations, 
and not so much desire and activity shown, in securing 
those who had committed thefts and other misdemeanors, 
as formerly; the majority thinking by to-morrow, or the 
next day, or within the week, a fleet of cartels would 
come around to Plymouth, sufficiently large to take the 
whole out at once. As each day passed by without their 
hopes being realized, or receiving the least intimation that 
any preparations were making for the release of the cap- 
tives, the 'hope deferred maketh the heart sick,' was 
deeply pictured upon the countenances of every one that 
was met throughout the prisons. 

The painters and sculptors had been busily engaged 
since the massacre, in designing and executing emblema- 
tical pictures and tablatures, commemorative of that un- 
happy event, hawking them through the markets, where 
19* v.2 



222 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

they found a ready sale with the country people, who 
appeared as highly exasperated at the murderous conduct 
of Shortland, as were the prisoners themselves, many of 
them refusing to take their marketings to his door for sale 
as formerly. These countrymen said there was but one 
opinion abroad concerning this affair of the commandant, 
and that he was execrated as a cold-blooded, deliberate 
murderer. 

During the first week in May, seven weeks after the 
ratification of peace had been received, notice came, that 
a 'cartel was in waiting at Plymouth, and that four hun- 
dred and eighty prisoners must hold themselves in readi- 
ness, to answer to their names, beginning at No. 1, on the 
following morning at sunrise.' 

This brought joy and relief to all ; to those that were 
to be called out on the morrow, because they, for a cer- 
tainty, were so soon to be on the way to the sea-board ; 
to those next in succession, because they were to be next 
on the list; and to the remainder, because as the break 
was made, it could not be long, before they too must 
follow. 

The night was spent in assisting those that were to 
depart, in making ready their baggage, tricing up their 
beds and hammocks, which were to be rendered up to 
the king's store-house, there to be kept till another war 
should furnish prisoners again to occupy them. It would 
be difficult to say which were the most happy, those who 
were to be released on the morrow, or those that re- 
mained behind. Some were telling to their departing 
messmates the many kind expressions they wished to be 
conveyed to their relatives and friends, should those 
departing be landed near by where they resided, while 
others, who could afford paper, took the surer course, by 
inditing, in such language as they possessed, their wel- 
fare, and expectations of speedily seeing their friends 
in health and happiness. 

Flags had been preparing since the massacre, in com- 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 223 

memoration of that event, on which were depicted a tomb, 
surmounted by an urn, with the names of those who 
were killed inscribed thereon — a seaman at one corner, 
with a female at the other, bent in sadness, together 
with an inscription in large capitals, giving the name in 
full, of the perpetrator of this wholesale murder, in the 
most conspicuous part of the whole group. With these 
flags, flanked on either side by the stars and stripes, the 
detachment set off, after giving three hearty good cheers, 
as a parting salute to their messmates in prison, which 
was promptly returned, by the six thousand yet remain- 
ing, with a wish for fair breezes and gentle gales, to waft 
them to their native soil. 

Another long and tedious nine da} r s rolled round, before 
others were called out, each day seeming a week of 
common time, so irksome was this lengthened suspense. 
On the twelfth, notice came for three hundred and fifty 
to be in readiness to depart, as the others had done, on 
the morrow. This draft, when ready to take up the line 
of march, found they were to be under the guard of a 
portion of the same Somersetshire militia, which had fired 
upon them on the day of the massacre. The prisoners 
refused to go — told the officer they would rather be sent 
back into the prisons, than to risk themselves with the 
cut-throats, who were appointed to escort them to Ply- 
mouth. On its being represented to the commandant, 
that most likely a collision would take place between 
the prisoners and soldiers, before they reached their des- 
tination, other guards were sent for, to the distance of 
three miles, the detachment kept waiting in the high- 
way till their arrival, when they proceeded on the march 
in quietness. 

As hard as the times were, by the increased scarcity 
of money, my bread-table afforded me employment, and 
still a small income, which I was employing to the best 
advantage, to make my voyage across the Atlantic more 
pleasant than the last had been. I made a number of 



224 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

small bags, filled them with flour, tea, sugar, salt, soap, 
and such light articles as they would contain, and my 
slight purse could afford — necessaries, of which I had so 
sadly felt the want while on board the privateer, as well 
as after being captured. Besides these delicacies, I had 
added many things to my wardrobe, making it both ample 
and comfortable. The altering of the clothes which I 
purchased, from time to time, together with the mending 
and patching of those requiring repairs, afforded me many 
hours of employment which otherwise would have been 
tediously heavy. 

So indifferent had the garrison become, as to the secu- 
rity of the prisoners, that many were allowed to escape 
without hindrance. These generally found their wav to 
Plymouth, threw themselves upon the hands of the agent 
for captured Americans, claimed his protection, were put 
on board of the first cartel in readiness, and sent off with 
others who were regularly released. When this was as- 
certained by letters received from those that had escaped, 
so greatly was the number augmented, that the agent sent 
an official notice to the prisons, that he would show no 
further protection to those who came out before their turn. 
Notwithstanding this, the number was larger than before ; 
for between Sunday night and the following Thursday, 
seventy-eight went out — eleven scaling the walls in open 
day-light, with their baggage, within full view of the sen- 
tinels, who abstractedly looked on without seeing their 
movements. 

At this time a hot press was going on in Plymouth, to 
supply those vessels of war with men, that were fitting 
out to act against the French in the hostilities brought 
on by Bonaparte's return from Elba ; and several of the 
escaped prisoners were pressed, who, after making their 
situations known to the proper authorities, were sent back 
to the same prisons they had but so lately clandestinely 
left. This prevented any farther departure of those in 
confinement, except as they were regularly called out in 
rotation. 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 225 

Many escaped previous to peace being made, which 
was no difficult task to one who had the means. The 
usual mode was the following, which I had from a person 
who after getting beyond the walls, was taken before he 
reached the sea-coast, brought back, and confined for a 
limited period in the cachot, or prison's dungeon, as a 
punishment for the same. 

The plan and price (from one to two pounds sterling) 
was agreed upon during the day, with the sentry posted 
in the yard, who likewise must purchase the confidence 
of two or three others, and then wait till they were so 
placed on guard, in some dark night, as to hold the con- 
nection between them, when the prisoner was notified all 
was in readiness. He that was to go out, gained the top 
of the prison through one of the cockloft skylights, none 
of which were grated, and with his rope already provided, 
descended to the yard. After the rope was detached from 
above, by a companion, it answered by throwing one end 
to the sentinel, to aid him in reaching the top of the wall, 
when he passed freely by as many of the guard as under- 
stood his purpose, and he was in safety outside the prison 
limits, beyond the control of the soldiery. If then he had 
the requisite means, and suitable clothing to travel gen- 
teelly, by stage or otherwise, he had no difficulty in reach- 
ing the coast, and securing a passage across the channel. 

But if he could not change his prison habiliments, it 
was a moral impossibility for him to traverse the country 
only by night, and lying concealed during the day ; for 
there was a standing reward of £20 for the apprehension 
of every escaped prisoner, as well as deserter from the 
army or navy ; and when a stranger was seen, if at all 
suspiciously clothed, he was hunted down by the country 
people, with an eagerness but little known to American 
yeomanry, who most generally would aid, rather than 
hinder, a prisoner of war in gaining his liberty. 

In some few cases, where the soldiers could not agree 
in the division of the bribe, the one dissatisfied gave 



226 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

notice to the officer of the night, when his post was filled 
by another, who guided the runaway to the guard-house 
instead of the path to his freedom. 

A party escaped one night, agreeing to pay the bribe on 
the wall, which was done in forged notes, purporting to be 
on the Bank of England, made by an inmate of No. 5, 
who was expert at imitating and manufacturing the like — 
constantly keeping them on hand for sale. One of the 
soldiers passed some of his portion before knowing they 
were bad, when he was apprehended, convicted of the 
offence, and suffered the penalty of the law, without let- 
ting it be known how he came in possession of the coun- 
terfeits. Knowing that the criminality of receiving a bribe, 
while on duty, was the same as passing the forged paper, 
his military pride would not allow him to disclose his 
dereliction of duty, and thus brand his name as a traitor, 
the rather preferring to suffer for the convicted offence, 
than by self-condemnation. 

The one who had proved himself such an adept at 
forging, was apprehended when he answered to his name, 
at his discharge from the prisons, taken into custody by 
the proper authorities, and was not heard of afterwards. 

The prisoners had been called out pretty rapidly, till 
the next draft would include the mess to which I be- 
longed entire, with the exception of myself, for I stood 
much higher on the list than any of the others. Among 
the many that had escaped, was one who belonged to the 
letter-of-marque, in which a part of my mess had been 
captured. As I answered his description well enough to 
pass, without too great a scrutiny, I was prompted by my 
messmates to go out with his name, as it would not only 
lessen my stay in the Depot, but it would enable me to 
continue with my old associates, to whom I felt much 
attached, till we arrived at the port of our destination. 
As another was endeavouring, like myself, to go out in 
the same manner, and with the same name, it required no 
little rehearsing to have the particulars of the escaped one 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 227 

by heart, lest I should falter, when the questions were put 
by the cleric of the Depot, in his endeavours to select the 
right one from the two. For the information concerning 
this man, every assistance was rendered by my mess- 
mates, and many others who belonged to the same crew 
with my friends, came voluntarily forward in my behalf, 
'till I felt certain of obtaining my liberty, and still a little 
longer having as associates the same kind hearts, with 
whom I had sojourned during my abode in prison. If my 
getting out depended altogether upon the zeal displayed 
by the members of the mess and their shipmates, a laro-e 
number offering to testify, 'I was the real Simon Pure,' 
my departure with the next draft was no longer a doubt. 

It must not be supposed my opponent was idle the 
while, for he too had rallied his forces and brought them 
into the field, till the two parties made quite a display, 
each set upon gaining its end, if for no other purpose, 
than to exult over the other's discomfiture. On a com- 
parison, I found a sufficient number of volunteers under 
my standard, to put down a greater force than my oppo- 
nent could rally, even should he bring in a few auxiliaries, 
who could know nothing of either party's wishes or do- 
ings. After these preliminaries were duly settled, I felt 
no little importance at the cause of so much excitement, 
and being at the head of a clan whose numbers certainly 
were not to be questioned, but whose appearance and 
respectability could not be out-done by a select draft 
from a fatigue party of Falstaff's own. I now waited with 
much anxiety for the arrival at Plymouth of the next 
cartel, which did not take place for three weeks after the 
last detachment had departed from the Depot. 

This was the most tedious time of all others, while the 
Americans were in Dartmoor, and for many reasons. No 
money had come into the prisons for nearly four months 
and during that time there had been a constant drain, 
which had reduced the sum total of the circulation, to a 
small amount, and the remaining portion was in the hands 



228 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

of but a few, who generally made the most of it, as is 
customary in larger communities. Nearly all business 
ceased, and among the rest, I reluctantly had to quit my 
bread table of chance, for the want of patronage ; not that 
my valuable customers had looked elsewhere for their 
evening's wheaten roll, but solely because they had not 
the half-penny to risk for it, and had to content them- * 
selves with the scanty brown loaf of their every-day 
rations. 

The last two days and a half that I stood at my board, 
shuffling my cards, displaying their flashy figures and 
lucky numbers, to lure the eyes of the hungry passers- 
by, or entice the half-penny from the pocket of the miser, 
I had not a call. I, with all the blandishing smiles, 
cheering looks, and satisfactory sayings, one is master of, 
was striving to retrieve a lost business, and still a little 
longer to prop up a tottering (rotten is too personal for the 
times) concern, by throwing as far ahead as possible a 
second bankruptcy, which was as inevitable as was the 
loss of the capital of our mess, when Irish Pat and Well- 
bred Jim took their spreeing tacks on board, and luffed 
up to the stall, with no landmarks except well-filled rum 
bottles, and no desires but to enjoy them. 

After spending the remainder of the third day cogitat- 
ing what was best to be done as the present »vas rather 
dry work, and stock becoming stale, we gave it up, and 
sold our remaining loaves to a neighbouring shopkeeper: 
the board we could not give away, even with throwing in 
the balance of the license yet to run, so abjectly poor had 
all become within the prisons. For the rest of the time, 
we were gentlemen at large, a character more irksome to 
maintain, than pleasant to boast of, even when among a 
community who were independent of labour. 

This second failure, I am happy in being able to say, 
did not bring the jeering and humiliating consequences 
of the first, thanks to the finesse we used, by selling off 
below cost, and having the management and settling up 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 229 

of our own business. Now could we hold our heads as 
high, cock our hats as saucily, and strut on 'change as 
proudly, as our neighbours, notwithstanding the emptiness 
of our pockets. Verily, experience is every thing, and 
none need expect to arrive at notoriety with his first 
essay. To the senior partner, the Doctor, however, was 
the concern indebted, for the adroitness of withdrawing 
from business with credit unimpaired, who, at all the prin- 
cipal undertakings, represented the digit, when, lest the 
concern might seem odd, the junior made good the 0. 

Although the following is near akin to a scene already 
recorded, yet, let the reader bear in mind, such things will 
occur in history — in romance never. 

I was sauntering through the markets, to while aw r ay 
a weary hour, when my attention was attracted by the un- 
usual quantity of large bales of goods, a German Jew was 
lugging into the square, and piling upon a long temporary 
table, he had brought with him in detatched pieces, and 
set up for their reception for a brief spell, till he could 
exchange them for a material of less bulk but of far 
greater value. This Jew had been on a speculative expe- 
dition to the many fairs that had been held through a 
wide district, meeting with but poor success, and was 
determined to lessen his stock and save transportation, by 
attending this market. The very circumstance of his 
being: a stranger, was enough to insure the brewing of 
mischief, bv the £an? of Rousrh Alleys who always were 
hovering about; and my only excuse for loitering, was to 
see what by-and-bye might bring up. 

The Jew was of short stature but immoderately fat, 
swollen in every part to unseemly vulgarity — body like a 
puncheon, cut down at both ends — legs like well-stuffed 
sacks — cheeks full and preponderating — eyes like yolks 
of eggs swimming in molten fat, and with a beard to 
insure his redemption, as far as length, thickness and 
want of dusting would go. He understood enough of 
English to make his wishes known to his customers, with 
20 v.2 



230 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

the requisite number of gesticulations and grimaces, when 
in his most lively mood, and they not disposed to cavil as 
to price or quality of goods in controversy; but his speech 
was so mixed up with slishes and slavers, cant and twang, 
Hebrew and Low Dutch, that his meaning mio-ht be 
made any thing or nothing of, without bringing in ques- 
tion the knowledge or ignorance of the interpreter. 

He was shortly beset by six or eight of the genteeler 
rowdies, and was over-anxious in showing his politeness 
while displaying his goods to his worthy customers, who 
had given him the preference of their dealings, instead 
of those of longer standing in the market — the Israelite 
seeing in perspective, the consummation of his wishes — 
the lessening of his stock of goods and the swelling of his 
pockets with silver, his god. 

While most deeply engaged in concluding a sale, a 
bale of cloth on his bench made a slight move, which his 
quick eye discovered, but noticed it not particularlv, till 
it took a second hitch half round ; Avhen for an instant, 
he ceased operating, stared with a look of astonishment, 
but as all was now still and none seemed to notice it but 
himself, he was shortly with the customers, as eagerly 
as before, spluttering mongrel Dutch and displaying his 
goods. 

Again was his gaze attracted by the sidling hitches his 
bale was making, and quick as lightning he bobbed below 
the table ; but seeing nothing there that could create 
alarm, and no one near the uneasy bale, he concluded 
it was but a phantasy of his own brain, and at the next 
instant was measuring off the cloth he had sold with an 
eagerness proportionate to the price he had sold it — treble 
its value and double his first expectations. At once his 
arms became paralyzed at their utmost extension, as he 
was running off the cloth with the yard stick, at seeing 
a rope alternately whipping the air and pavement, with 
its undulating movements, reaching from his table to the 
gratings, some sixty feet or more ; nor could he recover 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 231 

self-motion till the bale had lazily tumbled from his bench, 
and was sluggishly wending its way towards the gratings, 
following the rope in all the clumsy and grotesque tum- 
blings, such clump-shaped bodies usually assume, that 
have no locomotive powers of their own, and freakishly 
undertake a pilgrimage either for health or recreation, 
without first knowing whither they shall go, the way 
they are to journey, or the abilities they have of consum- 
mating it, without calling in auxiliary aid of some kind. 

When the Jew saw the bale was in earnest in leaving 
its former protector, his motions were as quickly returned, 
as they had suddenly left him, and he started in pursuit. 
The ninety and nine were left at hazard, to secure the 
one, it proving he had so far departed from the doctrine 
of his Hebrew fathers, as to have wandered into the New 
Testament, and was willing to work out the test of this 
parable, the circumstance promising an inkling of his 
entire conversion hereafter. When coming up to his 
bale, he lustily laid hold of it, but stopped it not ; he 
next threw himself bodily across it, yet, howsoever great 
the weight, the unseen power was greater — the bale still 
moved on — weight, in the language of our present loco- 
motives, no object. 

The Jew, the while, was venting his fears, chagrin, and 
disapprobation in oaths, that were no oaths, to the by- 
standers, as nothing definite could be understood, although 
shelves, skivers, skewers, scythes, grizzles, splints, hot 
shot, wapper-chaps, blood-an-oonds, and pudlocks were 
pouring out in abundance, yet so interlarded with dogs, 
robbers, cut-throats, hell-cats, thieves and devils, each 
garnished with ish, pish, splish or <rlish, and bespattered 
by the froth and spittle continually flying from his parched 
mouth, that no linguist at hand was expert enough to 
enlighten the surroundins crowd whether the Jew was 
cursing or blessing them, or asking for assistance. 

When he found nothing else would stay the sliding 
mass, he clutched his hands in the rope that confined the 



232 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

bale together, and flopped down with his largest propor- 
tions upon the rough stone pavement, extending a leg 
each side of the bale, to make the purchase shorter, and 
the surface greater, as he threw his whole weight into 
adhesive power, and braced back with might and main, 
as though his devotions were in the exercise. The bale 
stopped not, and the combined mass was still moving on, 
with stolid gravity and majestic indifference to the lavish 
inducements held out for it to stop, when some five or 
six of the surrounding crowd, more philanthropic than 
their fellows, imitated his example, by the first attaching 
himself to the Jew, and the others to their comrades in 
succession, till the whole were strung along together upon 
the pavement. The hindmost having less weight to carry 
in the drag, had leisure to cheer, while swinging his hat 
in the air — 'clear the track, ye cripples, we're on a 
cruise — six tandem, with a Jew for a leader! hurrah, 
for a merry one !' 

The strain put upon the hook proved too great, and after 
dragging the whole some twenty feet, it tore out, when 
the rope pursued its course, and the Jew recovered his 
goods, with the loss of nothing except the entire covering 
which happened to be between him and the stone pave- 
ment, in his heavy slide, gathering an ample coating of 
mud to hide the deficiency ; and even for this was he 
more than remunerated, if deep scratches count any 
thing, in the w T ay of recompensing a severe fright. 

To manifest his disdain at such a trading community., 
the Jew set about collecting his cloths, and lugged them 
to his cart outside the gates, with a hurry and zeal nothing 
behind what he had displayed when in chase of his tra- 
velling bale of woollens. In his change of employment, 
he so far regained his English as to be understood to say, 
'tey Frenchs tish tampt teevshs, tey 'nglischs tish tampt 
scheatshs, tey tampt Yankischs tish tampt devulschs.' 

From the first of June up to the time I left the prisons, 
I saw more suffering than during the whole time previous, 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 233 

that I had spent within the walls of the Depot. We were 
all, with very few exceptions, reduced to the allowance 
given to us by the adopted regulations. Most of the men 
had not sufficient self-denial to lay by a portion of their 
rations till the after-part of the day, but ate it as soon as 
obtained, and then fasted till again supplied the next day 
from the same source. To such their sufferings were 
severe, and the more aggravated by the extreme length 
the days had gained in this high latitude, it being light 
enough to turn out by half-past two o'clock in the mora- 
ine:, with remaining liarht sufficient to read, at nine at 
night. The rarefied air in this elevated district brought 
a dullness to the atmosphere, that added keenness to 
appetites already too sharp for the scanty amount given 
for its satiety. To the peculiar location of these prisons, 
is to be attributed the great sufferings of the inmates for 
the want of food, more than to the quantity they received. 
I never have been a large eater, but rather am below 
mediocrity in comparison with others, and know that I do 
not require as much food in bulk now, as was then given 
to each of the prisoners ; yet when in health, I do not 
think 1 was ever otherwise than hungered, after being 
thrown upon my allowance alone. 

This want of food had a singular effect upon the cap- 
tives, and displayed itself according to the temperament 
each possessed, affording a study and insight into human 
nature, not to be obtained from other sources. It entirely 
hid every good and redeeming quality, and showed in 
bold relief their worst dispositions, beyond the control of 
him who possessed them ; there was no disguising his 
harsher propensities, for verily they were beyond his 
command. Most became morose, sullen, and quarrel- 
some in the extreme, if meddled with, or many times if 
spoken to in tones of friendship ; while others would sit 
for hours in careless inertness, without exchanging: a word 
with any, or replying when asked a question. Some by 
their restless behaviour, fierce aspect and glaring eyes, 
20* v.2 



234 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

seemed ever upon the look-out how they could pounce 
upon their fellow-mortals, to do them injury, regardless 
alike of the strength arrayed against them, or the danger 
they brought upon themselves. I have often seen those 
who were closely connected in sympathy and friendship, 
pass and repass in their hurried walks, for hours together, 
without deigning to look towards each other, or exhibit a 
gesture by which a stranger might suppose they had ever 
been acquainted. It was a common saying among the 
prisoners, that such were 'in their fits, and it was better 
to let them remain alone till the fit passed ofF.' 

The greatest degree of suffering appeared to be from 
two to six o'clock in the afternoon, their harshness easing 
off from thence to bed-time, whether they had any thing 
to eat or not. 

All amusements ceased — no music, no story-telling, 
none of that joyous hilarity which w r as before so manifest 
throughout the prisons ; even Black Tom could not get 
enough to join in his chorus, to make it worth the hear- 
ing, should he, when the fits were upon his comrades, be 
prevailed on to tune his voice to strains more soothing 
than were depicted upon the countenances of the sur- 
rounding crowd. 

When first thrown to rely solely upon my rations, which 
was for about three weeks of my latter stay in prison, I 
adopted a plan from which I gained much relief, and suf- 
fered but little in comparison to those who ate the whole 
of theirs at once, and whose torments were severe. I 
will detail my mode of lengthening a short allowance, for 
the benefit of the next generation, should another war 
place any of them under the like starving predicament, 
with a request, should it prove a relief, that they will give 
credit where credit is due for the information. 

As soon as I received my bread in the morning, I cut 
it into three equal parts ; the one I ate at eight o'clock, 
the other at twelve, and the last from four to six, accor- 
dingly as I could tough it out. I never deviated from 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 235 

this rule, except once, to know the meaning of a full 
meal, and again to see how it would seem to fast twen- 
ty-four hours. The first plan worked well enough, had 
I the means of following it up ; but the last I found 
the worse, the longer I persisted in it ; and the two, 
when examined with impartiality, came to the same 
result — an increased appetite on the following morning, 
and a greater desire to devour all, as the day previous. 
I returned to my former plan. After passing the positive 
four o'clock, and entering upon the privileged probation 
till six, I have made the bargain with self, to walk so many 
times the length of the prison, say fifty or a hundred, 
as I felt a desire to vent my spite on some one, (self 
came in for the largest share in all these bufietings,) when 
completed, to have a slice of my third and last portion, 
as a reward for my perseverance, and to stay my stomach 
till supper time. This has been repeated till the hour 
of supper arrived ; when, on looking for the dainty re- 
mainder to refresh my care-worn spirits, to quell the 
internal grumblings, and to satiate my appetite, I found 
all was bargained away as rewards for my toilsome walks ; 
albeit I might, when none were looking on, have taken 
a second cut at the bread, when one should have suf- 
ficed, according to the articles of agreement, and labour 
bestowed. Still, I do not say this was the case, and feel 
I ought to be the last to cast reflections upon the party 
concerned, especially where no evidence is extant for 
said party to clear up this important affair, now so 
shrouded in mystery, by the length of time passed by 
since the occurrence took place. The musings while at 
my task, however, often beguiled me into other thoughts, 
directed my mind to objects less wearisome J .han my un- 
pleasant situation offered, and lessened the misery of 
knowing my wants could not be relieved. Upon the 
whole, I found these walks did me no harm in body or 
mind ; but, on the contrary, they imparted ease to the 
one, while they added vigour and elasticity to the other. 



236 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

So plainly were the passions depicted upon the coun- 
tenances of those who were 'in their fits,' that I was in 
the constant habit of watching and studying their tem- 
peraments, till at last I could tell at a glance, the dispo- 
sition of him I was studying, be he ever so great a 
stranger. I should not have feared a second encounter 
with my 'first impression acquaintance,' on the decks of 
the Pheasant, even should he don the form of the slip- 
pery one, who lent his aid to make his tongue wag thus 
oily; and if I could not have detected his aim before 
entering upon the platoon drill, I would have taken the 
shilling, and enlisted under his banners ; that is, always 
supposing the trial was to be made while he was under 
the influence of 'the fits.' 

It appeared to me, while closely watching the progres- 
sive effect of hunger upon the tempers and feelings of 
those that were suffering most for the want of food, that I 
could imagine a point, when man could resort to the flesh 
of his fellow mortals, to satiate his morbid longings to de- 
stroy, rather than to allay the gnawings of hunger. And 
I feel confident in saying, when any arrive at this stage, 
their torments of hunger give place to a worse feeling — 
that all the nicer attributes of humanity are lost; nothing 
remaining but a gloating desire to destroy, of a tenor much 
stronger than a wish to devour. 

To such a length was this rather singular freak carried, of 
studying the countenances of others, that for some years 
afterwards, I could not °;o into an assemblage without 
having my imagination entirely taken up in peering into 
the thoughts and dispositions of such as my eye rested 
upon, entirely absorbing every thing else within view, 
and diverting my mind from the object for which I was 
brought thither. Rarely was I mistaken in my opinion 
of such as came under this not very polite scrutiny, and 
such a hold had this habit taken of me, by long indul- 
gence, that it took some years to combat and get rid of it. 

But the sufferings for food were in no comparison to that 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 237 

for the want of tobacco, with those who had been accus- 
tomed to its use for years, and who now were so suddenly 
and so cruelly deprived of the means of obtaining it, by 
their agent, Mr. Beasley's peculiar manner of reading his 
instructions, or the singular construction he saw fit to put 
upon them. The more inveterate chewers generally set 
apart their pay while they received it, for the purchase of 
tobacco, and it barely gave them a sufficiency, with the 
greatest economy, to last them till pay-day came again, so 
high was the article in prison. 

Many sickened, were taken to the hospital, and there 
died, merely from being at once deprived of this narcotic 
weed. The physicians said, these men had no disease, 
but by being long accustomed to the use of tobacco, they 
could not entirely relinquish it at once, without endanger- 
ing health and even life. But what w r ere the health or 
lives of a few thousand American seamen, in comparison 
to the opinion of Mr. Beasley, with regard to his instruc- 
tions? Or if he was in doubt, could he not have been 
set aright by transmitting his wishes to the authorities at 
Washington ? I was not released till nearly four months 
after the ratification of peace was made known in Eng- 
land, and there were some hundreds yet remaining when 
I left. Surely the agent could have had his opinion sub- 
stantiated, refuted, or cancelled, by those who sent him to 
his station, had he thought proper to submit it to them. 
I do not know that he was ever accused of an itching 
palm, but his conduct savoured much of that which 
would, in these degenerate times, give him a worse ap- 
pellation. 

It was amusing to see the many shifts to which the 
chewers would resort, either to make much of what they 
had, or adopt something as a substitute. Those who 
could raise the necessary penny to buy the quid of hazel- 
nut size, would wind it with threads, to prevent its 
separation, and 'do a day upon it ;' they would then fast 
while it was drying the next, and on the third it would 
'smoke a day.' Thus making one chew last the owner 



238 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

three days ; others who could not afford to part with 
their whole daily allowance of meat, or half allowance of 
bread, to raise the purchase money for the tobacco, would 
substitute a strand of tarred rope, a bit of an old hat, 
if duly imbibed with unctuous perspirations, a piece of 
leather, hard wood, or any thing which had taste. The 
preference, however, next to the weed itself, was always 
given for a slice of the pocket, which had held the to- 
bacco, or a cut from the inner sole of an old shoe, as they 
possessed more of the desired flavour, than any other sub- 
stitute which they could obtain. 

Many have I seen with their tongues swollen to almost 
past utterance, and themselves nearly destitute of life or 
animation, caring but little whether they lived or died. 
None came under my observation, who suffered more than 
my shipmate in distress, Nimble Billy. He parted his 
loaf each morning, giving the one-half freely to a shop- 
keeper for a morsel of tobacco, and subsisted upon the 
remainder the following twenty-four hours, saying, if he 
must starve, he would rather it should be for the want of 
bread than tobacco. When his daily chew had given 
out, (he used no economy while it had taste, nor threw it 
away when its flavour and consistency were gone,) he 
would sit for hours with his tongue so swollen, as to pro- 
trude from his mouth, an object alike disgusting and 
pitiable. 

I have often wondered that seamen should so univer- 
sally indulge in the use of tobacco, when the nature of 
their calling so often suddenly deprives them of it, but 
so it is, scarcely one in a hundred can be found but who 
use it in the greatest profusion. Perhaps the deprivation 
of other comforts, causes the indulgence so greatly in this, 
and I am strengthened in the belief, by an observation 
occurring to me, that was often used by my messmate, 
Josh the Tiger. 'If it were not for tobacco,' he would say, 
'one-half of the impressed seamen in the British navy 
would drown themselves in a week. To be 'roused from 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 239 

one's berth and made stand to the wheel in a stormy tem- 
pestuous night, or row guard when so near an enemy as 
not being allowed to speak, and no tobacco ! — I have often 
wished when at such service, while grinding at the weed, 
the Turk's bones who impressed me were in the place 
of the tobacco ; for as much as I loved it, I hated him 
the worse, and would have ground him up sooner.' 

So great had our anxiety become, whilst waiting these 
three weeks for the arrival of a cartel, that had the war 
been renewed, between Great Britain and the United 
States, confirming our imprisonment to an unlimited 
period, or till peace was again made, it would have 
been a relief from this horrid state of uncertainty, under 
which we were wasting day and night ; for when asleep, 
we were constantly visited by dreams and phantasies, 
vague and undefined gatherings of faces, which grinned 
their chattering grimace with exulting laughs — their lank 
pointing fingers seemed to hiss in very spite at our spectre 
looking selves for interrupting them in their orgies, till 
the scene changed to a full covered board, groaning under 
the many dainties spread to our view, and while we were 
striving to gain the mastery of the unseen power, which 
held us in check of reaching to eat, we would waken 
only to the horrid reality of our dismal and famished 
conditions. Often when under the influence of sleep, 
have I been journeying long and wearily to reach my 
home, have gained the green meadows where was naught 
but lilies, and flowers, and a lovely sunshine to make 
them the brighter; with a waving sea of verdure, wan- 
tonly nodding a welcome return, while the coyish breeze, 
made odorous by the surrounding sweets, gently fanned 
my fevered brow, now (lushed by ardent expectation of 
soon mingling with those I loved ; — and there too, at but 
a little distance, is the parental roof, with its quiet still- 
ness undisturbed — now I have reached so near as to hail 
that I am coming! when my joy would waken me, and 
I would clutch the pillow to my eyes in very despera- 



240 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

tion, as by its convulsive pressure, I might sleep again 
or turn my dreams to a reality. Let not the reader sup- 
pose this a mere fancy picture, Tor so forcibly were they 
impressed upon my imagination, that they are still re- 
membered as freshly as though they occurred but the 
night past. 

I have at times sat by myself, and gone seriously to 
work to ascertain in my own mind, whether I had ever 
during life, risen from full dishes and savory meats, and 
turned from them with my faculties whole and unim- 
paired. The only conclusion to which I could satisfac- 
torily come, with every redeeming charity for my former 
indiscretions, was, that I had ever lived in darkness, and 
that the true light was but now dawning upon me — pro- 
mising, now my eyes were open, and seeing the gulf that 
I had unconsciously passed — believing that I had igno- 
rantly subscribed to the sentiment, 'enough is as good as 
a feast' — to make up for all my former delinquencies, 
when again placed in a situation to prove my reforma- 
tion, without the fear of ever after backsliding. 

During this dreary time that we were thus anxiously 
awaiting the announcement of a cartel, none showed a 
greater eagerness to be liberated than Double-me-up. 
He was ever talking about his home, and the fair as 
well as speedy prospect he had of once more viewing 
the scenes of his boyhood, and meeting his mother, of 
whom he was ever speaking with an unusual warmth of 
affection and an overflowing: o-ush of childish feeling;. 
Upon every opportunity he was saying with how much 
leniency he would treat his blacks, how they should be 
better fed and clothed than heretofore, have their tasks 
made lighter — for now he could feel for their condition 
by a comparison with his own ; whereas before, he thought 
they were created only for his use. He had been about 
a month from the hospital, where he had been confined 
with the small-pox, under its most virulent form, which 
as completely disfigured his face, as his unaccustomed 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 241 

hardships had before his person. But he cared nothing 
for this, his looks and appearance were a secondary con- 
sideration to his once more seeing his home and his 
mother. While this expectation was at its height, and 
each day lessened his stay in prison, he was seized with 
a malignant fever, again taken to the hospital, where he 
remained when I came away, with little hopes of reco- 
very. In all probability his bones lay in the pit without 
the prison walls, indiscriminately mingled with the hun- 
dreds who were there likewise cast, without the possi- 
bility of his widowed parent ever knowing his end ; for 
the name entered in the prison register as his was an 
assumed one, and his latter sickness was constantly 
attended with delirium. 

The Doctor created a diversion in the mess, from the 
sombreness of the prevailing sentiment in relation to the 
non-arrival of a cartel, by giving to his navigation class, 
the following problem to work out. 

'Suppose to-day, at twelve o'clock, a cartel be in readi- 
ness in the Thames, opposite London, with a three-inch 
hawser made fast to the foot of the bowsprit, of given 
length to reach the prisons, including the roundabout way 
she is to come — how long will it take to haul her round at 
the rate of thirty-five fathoms per minute, working twelve 
hours in each twenty-four — how large a vessel, ton mea- 
surement, will it take to hold the hawser when coiled in, 
and how many hands will it require to work her at the 
above rate, supposing she draws twelve and a half feet of 
water, and is three hundred and fifty tons burthen ? The 
answers to be in readiness by to-morrow's dinner hour. 

'Crack on two watches, and have no belaying at night, 
for who would'nt bowse on day and night rather than stay 
here on six banyan days a-week, with nothing of a Sun- 
day by way of a change,' said Well-bred Jim. 

'Put a half inch more to the hawser,' said Little Nap, 
'for should it part, there will be loss of time in the 
splicing, which is more valuable than a few extra spun 
•21 v 2 



242 A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

yarns, let alone the stern-way she would make, if heading 
a current while the splicing is going on.' 

'Is it to be a hand-over-hand, jib-down-haul pull, or a 
heavy drag-and-sway anchor-haul ?' said Black Tom, 'for 
each must have a heave-yo song to cheer them, but of 
different movements.' 

'Away with your heave-yo !' said Tiger Josh, with 
much disdain. 'Singe me for a Turk, if it shall be any 
thing else than a man-o'-war's capstan trot, to the fife's 
heave ahead, my jollies. If ye number any thing of 
my rig and shape in your mess, it shall be no milk-and- 
water, whishy-washy spree, depend upon it.' 

'Eat pea-soup with a fork, or oakum without fat, and 
call that spreeing,' popped out from Flash-in-th'-pan, 
bouncing up, as if he had been sitting astride upon an 
overcharged petard, with the match applied, 'but never 
couple hard duty with the word, when a fellow knows 
there's not a shot in the locker, in the shape or com- 
plexion of grub, to brace his stomach with, after his 
watch on deck is done. As for the least snuffling of the 
main-brace, may I be worked into a snatch-block, and 
rove with a chain cable, if I know what it means, so long 
since I have heard or seen it in reality.' 

'Profanity ! profanity!' exclaimed Jim, jumping to his 
feet, 'he has spoken of things unknown ; and shall not 
have a pull at the hawser, for naming that which is not, 
till he asks forgiveness.' 

Had not the by-standers interfered, Flash-in-th'-pan 
would have had the first pull, not at the hawser, but at 
the fiery nose of the last speaker. 

The Doctor observed the debate had taken a course 
not laid down in the problem ; and while the speakers 
were indulging in their personalities, he begged them to 
remember that the cartel was still at her moorings, with 
the change of the tide against her, where she was likely 
to remain, unless they all clapped on with a mutual good 
will ; to bring her round. He likewise gave a friendly 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

caution to the belligerent parties, who were still eyeing 
each other with hostile aspects, that such combustible 
bodies (Jim's nose and Flashy's hair) meeting in con- 
tact, evidently must cause an explosion, and therefore 
recommended them for the future to keep on different 
tacks. 

The first proposition of Well-bred Jim was acceded to 
unanimously, while that of Little Nap was voted down, 
after citing various instances, where larger vessels had 
been towed by even smaller hawsers than the one in 
dispute, without any accidents occurring. 

Each of the class had his answer in readiness, but so 
widely did they differ one from the other, that the Doctor 
had but little faith in their past labours. He hinted that 
they were better at guessing than at figuring, threatening 
at the same time to put them to their first lessons, if he 
discovered such trickeries in future. Two of the solu- 
tions agreed nearly throughout, with a slight difference 
in the length of the hawser, or distance of the vessel 
that was towed, sufficient to show they had not compared 
notes accurately. This gave rise to a discussion, each 
party striving to prove the incorrectness of his classmate's 
statements, and the truth of his own, the debate leading 
the disputants far from the original question, blending in 
obscurity more than elucidating the problem, and bid- 
ding fair to swerve as far from the right track of the 
cartel, as they were distant from the day they were to 
be released ; when an old salt, who had been an atten- 
tive listener, with the dignified grizzling of a half cen- 
tury upon his uncovered poll, begged to say a word, 
when, he doubted not, he could put the whole in their 
right reckoning, and make all plain sailing once more. 

'You must know, shipmates, that just before this mis- 
hap of losing a fathom or so of headway, at least not 
worth a chew of tobacco from the stall of Old Suck- 
pump, who is known to make five pieces out of eveij 
four he lays in, there was a stiff breeze blowing a little 



2-1 i A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. 

east of nothe, and directly abeam of the craft which we 
were bowsing along with the hawser, till we came to a 
tongue of land jutting into the sound, something this 
fashion, (squaring his thumb at right angles with his 
open hand, to aid him in his meaning,) where she must 
head up directly in the wind to get around it. 

'It happened to be my watch on deck, the second 
after the dog-watch, which, you must know, is the most 
sleepy of all watches. As the men became tired with 
their long and heavy pull, one lay down, another crept 
under the lee of the long-boat, to shelter his shivering 
carcass from the pelting rain, which the freshened wind 
had brought with it, while, if he wanted to keep warm, 
'twould be better to hold on at his work, as any lub- 
ber might have known, for there was exercise for all 
hands while the squall lasted, even when calling the cook 
from his coppers ; and a third let go his hold, to study 
the weather, as a make-believe to rest himself from the 
sweat he was undergoing in this severe task. 

'While I was bowsing away, thinking every pull was 
harder than the last, I looked around, and none were hold 
of the hawser but myself — every one had skulked from 
the weather, and was snugly stowed away somewhere or 
other. I held on, and was pulling away like a marine at 
the chest of his dead messmate, till she reached the point 
of land, and took the current that now set strong against 
her. Towing against a head sea and the wind at the 
same time, is any thing but an easy job; and you will 
agree with me, when I say, I had as little leisure then, as 
we now have any thing to cheer our hearts, while sitting 
around the mess table. 

'What I found tough before, was but play to this; to 
let go and 'rouse up the watch, would have given the 
cartel a chance to go ashore and take a four-handed reel, 
to the tune of a whistling nor-wester, where breakers are 
used for flooring, with surf and sea-weed for the entertain- 
ment ; as well it would have been the cause of keeping 



A CHAPTER WITHOUT A SUBJECT. ^4." 

us here another fortnight. Stopping a moment to spit on 
my hands, that my grip should be the firmer, she fell off 
so that I could not bring her up again for full ten minutes. 
In this lies the difference of the two calculations. Not 
liking to bring the officer of the watch to trouble, for he 
too was asleep, I let this little mishap go by without enter- 
ing it upon the log, and it would never have been known, 
if I had not now told it; for when the watch had their 
snooze out, the weather had brightened again, and the old 
barkey was heading along, as fast as hard bowsing could 
force her. This is the sole cause of the error in my mess- 
mate's calculation, for the cartel fell astern just as much as 
Ned Mullen is behind with his figures.' 

As the relater predicted, his explanation settled the dis- 
pute, and the two calculations which came nearest, were 
accepted as the most correct, without farther controversy. 
These two expert mathematicians received the usual 
medal awarded by the mess to the one who should excel 
in any species of nonsense — the privilege of wearing the 
fool's cap (made of canvas, looped up with spun yarn, and 
decorated with bones from the cook-house) throughout the 
dav, the twain to toss up who should first be dignified by 
displaying it upon his cranium to the laughing crowd. 

However trivial this may seem to the reader, few can 
imagine the relief it brought to minds aching with the 
tension of anxiety they were labouring under. We were 
ready to grasp at any thing, whereby we could be di- 
verted from the thoughts of our unhappy situations. 



21* v.-i 



246 
CHAP. XIII. 

LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

The twenty-seventh of June came and passed by, as 
had the twenty previous days, without any indications of 
more prisoners being called out, and most had retired to 
their hammocks, if possible, to forget in sleep, the gnaw- 
ings of hunger and the horrid suspense with which their 
minds were racked and torn. About half past ten, notice 
came, that a large draft was to be in readiness by the 
break of day, to depart from the prisons. 

Now were our sorrows turned to joys of the most rap- 
turous kind. Every one turned out, for to sleep would 
have been sacrilegious. Lights and moving forms were 
in every part of the prisons, where before wretchedness 
and woe stalked uncontrolled without a check — now was 
naught but mirthful glee, joyous singing and lively danc- 
ing. Those that were to depart were busy bundling up 
the little they possessed, receiving messages to carry to 
the friends of those who remained, and these in turn 
were assisting their friends to be in readiness by the hour 
appointed, to answer for the last time to the call of their 
names within these dreary walls. 

When the bustle had somewhat subsided, a cry was 
raised, that the 'unpardonable sin had been committed.' 
This was but seldom done ; — howsoever depraved were 
the Rough Alleys in other respects, there had been but 
two or three instances of this heinous sin being com- 
mitted, on account of the serious penalty immediately 
following the conviction of the offender. 

Many of those who had sold their birthrights, could 
have been at home, in the United States, before this 
period, had they gone out when their turns came as they 
were registered. These likewise had sold bed, bedding, 
and such articles as they were to return to the clerk's 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 247 

office, when answering to their names for the last time, till 
they could sell no longer, either the goods and chattels 
belonging to the king, or the right of their own persons, 
and were obliged to cast about and secure a 'king's 
kit,' the necessary passport with which to go out, or, 
for the want thereof, to remain in durance till the last 
should depart. 

The uproar was in proportion to the magnitude of the 
offence, when it was known that two hammocks were 
missing, belonging to those going out at day-break, and 
should they not be found, the owners would be under 
the disagreeable necessity of remaining in prison as men- 
tioned above, and let others precede them, a disappoint- 
ment with many, but little short of death itself. Every 
one within the walls took an interest in searching for the 
missing baggage ; the lights were brought into requisition, 
and no hole or corner was left unsearched, till the lost 
were found. At last, after an hour's search, the ham- 
mocks were discovered, and in the possession of those 
very fellows with whom all expected and wished to find 
them, Sodom and Gomorrah, who were known to be with- 
out bedding of any kind for months. 

Time did not admit of more than a drum-head court 
martial, and barely that; for this case came nearer lynch- 
ing, than any affair I saw while in prison. Not one of 
the followers of these chiefs was bold enough to step for- 
ward and advocate their cause; but while a part stood 
aloof, trembling with fear, lest the punishment should 
not stop with their leaders, but might, through the hurry 
and confusion, accidentally extend to such of them as 
mio-ht be nearest at hand, after the fury had been ex- 
pended upon the backs of their worthy and renowned 
chiefs, the remainder to lull suspicions, vociferously called 
out to have the fellows well drubbed — were the first to 
volunteer in handling the cat ; and by their earnestness, 
must have had old scores to wipe out that had been long 
accumulating. 



243 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

The trial of these two was soon finished, but not sooner 
than they were stripped afterwards and triced up between 
two stanchions by their thumbs, so high that they could 
barely rest the weight of their bodies upon their feet, 
while in a straightened position, but if they swerved the 
least from the perpendicular, or shrunk their bodies from 
the sting of the lash, the weight fell entirely upon their 
thumbs. 

The crier went through the prison, calling upon all good 
citizens to come forward, and pay their respects to these 
notorious ringleaders of the Rough Alley gang, and more 
especially those who were to depart on the morrow, as it 
would be the last chance of a parting salute to the greatest 
thieves in Christendom. 'Be it known, however,' said the 
crier, 'that none are to interfere, till the two from whom 
they last stole, shall be satisfied that they have balanced 
accounts in full, with the rate of interest in such cases 
allowed.' 

After the two had each given them his dozen, a mere 
flea bite of what w r as to follow, for they were timid young 
men, who had feelings more tender than the backs bared 
to their blows, more champions came forward to correct 
the morals of these two profligate rowdies, than I was 
aware existed in prison No. 5, and sufficient both in num- 
bers and zeal, to bring about a reformation in Australia, 
with the prospect of a speedy millenium, if the worthy 
intentions of these correctors of the misdeeds of others, 
were suffered to proceed without a check. One had lost 
a pair of slippers, each of which was worth a dozen ; 
another had missed a pair of trousers — they must have 
stolen them ; a third had a pair (each had missed his 
pair, and took pay accordingly,) of handkerchiefs, which 
were taken from the line in the yard ; a fourth had lost 
nothing, but had ever lived in dreafl, while these fellows 
were unpunished; a fifth, whose memory was bad, could 
not think, when he first set the cat in motion, whether he 
had lost or not, but kept cutting away, fearing the back 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 240 

might cool, while his thoughts were getting in the right 
channel, which they did by the time his arm became 
tired, when he suddenly recollected he had lost nothing — 
begged pardon of the back for his lack of memory, which 
was constitutional, and gave up the cat to another in wait- 
ing, with about the same motive for flogging, as he pos- 
sessed — an old grudge. 

It must not be supposed the two rowdies were quietly 
taking all the good things thus showered upon them by 
the surrounding crowd, without being sensible of the 
favours they were receiving; for they kept cursing, swear- 
ing, yelling and kicking to the right and left, to the de- 
struction of their thumbs — frothing at their mouths and 
gnashing their teeth — appearing more like fiends infernal 
than belonging to the human family. They called upon 
all the choice gnomes and spirits that had relieving power, 
in the four quarters of the globe, and when they had ex- 
pended these, they ranged off into both hemispheres of 
the world to come, summoning with threats of authority, 
legions of cavalry, squadrons of artillery, and bodies of in- 
fantry of the spirits that are, to come forward and release 
them, take their places, or vouch their acknowledgments 
to be sincere — that they had more than enough. While 
one was anxious to make known his sudden conversion 
to the temperance cause, by lustily vociferating 'water! 
water! for God's sake a drop of water!' the other was 
amusing the crowd by hanging by his two thumbs, the 
legs the while displaying a wrangling combat, one pitted 
against the other, without the bystanders displaying any 
preference for either, on account of their clownish way of 
going through the six divisions of the broadsword. In this 
exercise their mode of giving point so far diverged from 
the centre, that it was some time before the more humane 
portion of the crowd could interfere and let them off, 
when they scampered away and were seen no more for 
the night. Had these men been thus punished in the 
first of their career, it would have been better for them- 



250 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

selves, and a caution to their companions in rascality ; for 
they never would have risked a repetition of so severe a 
chastisement. 

I have said that the above sham trial and hasty punish- 
ment came nearer a regular lynching affair than any I 
saw while in prison ; but an occurrence took place before 
I went there, which I will relate, as it was told to me by 
different individuals, without variation. 

Three impressed men gave themselves up and came to 
the Depot, not till after the preliminaries of peace had 
been signed at Ghent. They were ever boasting how 
much better they fared while in the British service, than 
those did who came to prison early in the war, but to 
languish and starve ; — tauntingly observing, that while 
they (the prisoners) were famishing from the meagerness 
of their provisions, they had been on wages and gaining 
prize-money, which was displayed to the annoyance of 
their opponents in controversy, in the greatest profusion. 
One night, after becoming some little merry, their inso- 
lence became past endurance, by their boasting that the 
very money with which they were then carousing, was 
a part of that obtained from the capture of the United 
States' brig Argus, while they were doing duty on board 
of her destrover, the Pelican. 

This the others could not bear — that they should openly 
boast of lighting against their own countrymen, and pub- 
licly riot upon the spoils of the vanquished, among whom 
was the gallantly remembered Allen, the then commander 
of the Argus. Two of them were seized and stamped 
in the forehead and across the cheeks, with Indian ink 
pricked into the surface of the skin, with the word 
traitor — the third with the initial T on the one cheek, 
and termination R on the other. While this was going 
on, none interfered in their behalf, till all was completed, 
when they were sent to the hospital, with a request to 
have them retained therein as a place for their safety. 
One of them not liking to carry so legible an evidence 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR, 251 

of his traitorship, attempted to cut out the letters, and 
succeeded, but at the expense of his life ; for the wounds 
brought on an inflammation, which shortly proved fatal. 
I have repeatedly seen the one who was the least guilty 
of the three, with the two letters only pricked into the 
skin of his face ; for he was permitted to come into the 
prisons without being disturbed, after the affair died away. 
I had but little trouble in tying up my bedding, having 
had all things in a condition for a start with a ten minute's 
notice, for the last two weeks. I took my station at the 
door a full hour before day-light, to be in readiness to 
push out the moment it was unlocked, to be first at the 
call-out gate, before those whose numbers came- after the 
one I was to assume. My hammock and bedding were 
tied to order, swung to my back, with my two clothes 
bags one under each arm, which I found heavier than I 
• supposed they would be, by the many notions I had cram- 
med into them, to comfort me on my return voyage. 
After waiting at the door the better part of three weeks, 
computing time by imagination, I heard the key turn and 
grate in the lock, which I thought as dulcet as it had 
proved harsh, when the bolts were turned upon me the 
night of my first entrance into the prisons. Let no one 
(said I mentally) hastily express himself on sounds, 
whether melodious or discordant, harmonious or grating, 
till he has had an opportunity of judging under different 
temperaments, and with a variety of positions, unless he is 
regardless of his reputation as a connoisseur. I hastened 
to the passage gate, where the names were to be called 
over, was more than happy, was in ecstacies in being first, 
stuck fast, nay, welded myself with adhesive tenacity to 
its bars, as the crowd jostled to and fro, not daring to let 
go, lest I might be edged to the outer portion, which was 
rapidly augmenting, and be so far from the gate, as not to 
be able to slip out before him, who was acting the coun- 
terfeit, or to whom I was in opposition. 

At the expiration of other 'three weeks,' the clerk 



252 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

made his appearance, came down to the gate, sauntered 
about in a strange, unnatural, and unaccountably cool 
manner, took his station within three feet of the gratings 
in my front, opened his list and held it so I could easily 
see the fifth name from the top was the cognominal one I 
was destined to bear on my travelling excursion across the 
Atlantic. After running his eyes over the column, he 
coolly said, as though none felt more interest than him- 
self, in the information, 'I shall call out at the other gate 
this morning,' a circumstance never occurring before, and 
why now, no one knew, unless it was, by his seeing a 
fixture made fast to the bars of the one in his front, 
which would be troublesome to remove, and take longer 
to clear therefrom, so that it should open, than to walk 
to the other side of the yard and there make a beginning, 
a distance of more than one hundred and fifty feet, the 
intermediate space, on the side in which I stood, filled to 
suffocation by those going out, and their friends to bid 
them adieu. 

I was making my way through the crowd as fast as pos- 
sible, although but slowly, on account of the baggage with 
which I was encumbered, and I had gained about half 
the distance, when I heard the name called. I answered 
so as to be heard throughout a portion of the county, 
'here !' — struggled hard to make more headway, wished 
the 'king's kit' any where else but athwart my back, set- 
tled upon the clerk, without a chance of reversion, as my 
only legatee, the whole of my wrath to come, for his apt- 
ness at innovation and coolness in marring long cherished 
hopes, wondered that among so many idlers none should 
apply for porterage, thought it deucedly warm, perspired 
freely, and was in a tremendous stew. The crowd the 
while were singing out, 'open! open! he's first on the list,' 
and by their haste to make way, choked up the pas- 
sage the closer. As;ain the name was called, which was 
promptly replied to by my 'coming,' louder than the last, 
as it was a rounder word ; and coming I was, with the 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 253 

wheezing and puffing of a Mississippi steamboat, but only 
with the speed of a dredging machine, working against an 
ebb-tide, by the impediment of my luggage and the close- 
ness of the crowd. I had just gained the si°;ht of the 

JO o 

open gate, in time to hear the third call answered by my 
opponent, who stepped out, went up to the clerk's office, 
and passed without a question being asked, or a suspicion 
raised, that he was not the owner of the name to which 
he had answered. He was next to the gate at first, but 
fearing detection, dared not pass out till the third and 
last call. The good intentions of my kind-hearted mess- 
mates were thus frustrated, not by any remissness on 
their part, nor any want of exertion on mine, but by 
one of those back-heaving circumstances, which fate is 
ever thrusting athwart the course of the over-hasty, and 
blasting the hopes of the sanguine. 

Have any of my readers ever selected a lottery ticket, 
through the agency of a dream, or the more potent help 
of a fortune-teller, whose lucky number was to relieve 
him of his present difficulties, establish him in business, 
or provide the necessary outfit, whereby he would be 
enabled to quash all and every objection to the matrimo- 
nial connexion his heart most desired, by providing an 
establishment which was to outdo all competitors ; has 
he watched the coming up of the prize for the seven- 
and-twentieth day the lottery has been drawing, and 
stood by when it came out a blank ? If so, he can have 
some faint inklings of my disappointment; but to com- 
prehend my feelings in whole, he cannot, unless placed 
in a similar situation, which I hope may never be his lot, 
be he ever so great an enemy, or ever so snarling a 
critic. 

After shaking hands with my departing messmates, 
through the iron-grated partition fence, who deeply com- 
miserated me in my ill luck, showing all the sympathy 
of feelings their kind hearts possessed, I returned to the 
prison, more miserable in mind than I had been at any 
22 v 2 



254 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

former period, for I was left alone at the mess table, 
that had so often resounded to the cheer of those who 
were absent, of hearts not the less kind for the rough 
exteriors in which circumstances had enshrined them. 
And need I sav I felt an attachment, and have a dowins 
warmth of friendship to this day, for the mess that had 
taken me, a stranger, by the hand, one nowise suitable 
for their companionship — for the mess that 'had admi- 
nistered to my wants and necessities with a parental care 
and tenderness, when I was not able, from inability of 
bodily affliction, to aid or assist myself? Whilst reflect- 
ing upon the mishap of our separation, and the impro- 
bability of our ever meeting again, by the sickening de- 
spondency of heart with which I was visited, I could not 
but think it a foreboding of our future separation, and 
that the last interview was to be — the last. And how 
long, I said to myself, must I yet remain here ? Had 
the interrogatory been aloud, the answer would have 
been — how long ! For no one knew whether it were 
to be a day, a week, a month, or a longer time. In the 
uncertainty was the pang ; for I would gladly have closed 
the bargain of the remotest period, and, knowing that 
to be a certainty, should have felt a relief from the pain- 
ful suspense of mind under which I was labouring. 

After taking my departing messmates severally by the 
hand, I had exchanged the last words of a separating 
farewell with each of them, and on letting go that of 
Irish Pat, a shilling was slipped into mine, one of the 
only two he possessed — saying it was all the remunera- 
tion he could make for the loss I had sustained, when 
the capital of the mess was squandered, partly through 
his agency. To comment upon the generosity of the 
act, would not only mar the glowing sensibility of the 
writer, as the circumstance is brought to his mind, to- 
wards the remembrance of his old associate in adversity, 
but it would be doubting the reader possessed that re- 
spondent feeling, which is planted in every sympathizing 
heart of the human family. 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 255 

An order came that the remaining inmates of the other 
buildings should repair to prison No. 4, with their bag- 
gage, and from thence mess out, and draw their ra- 
tions. About nine hundred were now in the Depot, and 
more than half of these were blacks. Whenever a cartel 
was in readiness, if bound to a southern port, as mostly 
they were, the blacks would not answer to their names 
when called, preferring to stay in prison to that of going 
to a slave State, fearing they might be taken up whilst 
wandering: about in their destitute or vagabond condition, 
and sold into slaver}'. Their greatest fears were, that 
the cartel, when arriving at her port of destination, would 
be kept off, till the highest price could be ascertained 
for able-bodied slaves. To counteract this, they deter- 
mined to remain till the last, when they would go out 
in a body, and by numbers or acclamation, take the vessel 
to where their bodies and services were less appreciated, 
than they were generally in southern ports. 

After all had gone from prison No. 5, I took a solitary 
walk through its long, dreary, and now deserted alleys, 
which were but so lately alive with the moving crowd, and 
whose walls resounded to the hilarous laugh of the merry 
throng, or the sickening moan of the woe- worn captive, 
at his lengthened imprisonment ; but now all was hush 
as the silent tomb. No noise interrupted my sombre 
meditations : no sound was heard, to turn my mind from 
that moody train of reflection, in which it had fallen by 
the silence of the place and combining circumstances, 
save the deadened echo to my foot-fall upon the stone 
pavement beneath. None was by to share my lonely 
melancholy, nor to sympathize with my over-burthened 
heart-bursting woe and dejection ; naught was there to 
attract my attention to other than my silent musings. I 
essayed aloud to raise one aspiration to Him, whose good- 
ness had thus far upheld me in my difficulties and dis- 
tress ; but it ended in thought only; a choking sensation 
prevented all utterance ; nor could I have spoken, to be 



25G LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

saved from annihilation. Had a gush, nay, a single tear 
came to my relief, it would have proved a blessing ; but 
their fountains were as firmly unyielding as my articula- 
tion was painfully withheld ; both were restrained, all 
was absorbed with my inward swellings ; the throbbings 
of my aching heart seemingly were alone audible, for it 
was strained to a tension but ill to describe. 

I stopped at the window of our former mess place a 
moment, to clear the dust from the initials etched in the 
stone at its side, which had served to give me brief em- 
ployment during my ill state of health, devoted a few 
moments in contemplating the scenes that had passed, 
during the five months I had been a sojourner within 
these walls — left, and have not since been there, except 
in imagination, which oft carries me back, not only in 
my waking moments, but frequently in the delusive phan- 
tasies of a dream, am I wafted to the dreary walls of this 
strong hold in Dartmoor, where I am invariably seated, 
as of yore, at the mess table, in my humble prison habili- 
ments, surrounded by my former comrades in miser)' ; 
or, walking to and fro in its lengthy alleys, wearily hoping 
for the time to come for my release, and racked with 
hunger of body and disquietude of mind, as palpably 
painful, as was the reality, till awakened by the anguish 
of these incubus torments, with many times a fear to sleep 
again, lest my fevered fancy should again carry me back, 
and the oppressive agony of these night-mare ravings, 
leave me there to wake no more. 

I soon found the difference, between our well-regulated 
prison, and the one we were compelled to occupy during 
the remainder of my stay at the Depot, was very great, 
and in every way for the worse. The blacks occupied 
the one-half of the building, while the whites had the 
other; and the whole were confined to the limits of the 
small yard in which No. 4 stands, the communication 
being cut off from the others, for the purpose of cleansing 
and making ready the buildings, for the reception of the 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 257 

French prisoners, who were at Plymouth, waiting to be 
conducted to the Depot. 

\Vhile in this abode, the only Sabbath I spent therein, 
we had a discourse delivered by a white preacher from 
without, who was a good speaker, and one of much zeal ; 
but he met with little encouragement to repeat his call : 
for within twenty paces of his temporary pulpit, was a 
keno table, three or four card parties, an alley filled with 
a pitch-penny gang, a trio of violins, besides some half 
dozen social circles, each as noisy as the business they 
were driving warranted, many timing their 'rubbers,' and 
'kenos,' and exulting laughs at the turn of their jokes, 
so as to answer to the preacher's rounding sentences, 
straining their black throats, to drown the voice of the 
speaker, who was any thing but comfortable in this motly 
assembly of Christian, Jew, and Ethiopean, without saying 
a word of the annoyance of the many dealers in old 
clothes, who were forcing themselves through the crowd, 
vociferating loudly in all the fanciful twang and non- 
sensical gibberish each and all could invent, with their 
harsh guttural voices, while describing the many qualities 
of their goods for sale, striving to outdo in eloquence and 
imaginative sayings the preacher, who at last cut short 
his sermon by declaring the blacks were so noisy, that he 
could neither make himself heard to his nearest hearers, 
nor fairly understand his own voice, among the jargon 
that was going on around him ; and however anxious he 
was to give instructions, he should not again attempt it, 
till better regulations were adopted. This could not be, 
for the blacks, being without their former restraint, Big 
Dick, who had gone out in his turn, largely out-numbered 
the whites, looked upon the prison as their own, put down 
every regulation that emanated from the latter, however 
for the well-being of both parties, and knew or acknow- 
ledged no difference between one day in the week and 
another. 

We soon likewise found, that among the other neglects 
22* v. 2 



258 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

of this place, that of cleanliness was left to each of its 
inmates to manage, as best he might ; which in an anar- 
chy like this, cannot be supposed the very best method 
of keeping down a spurious breed of vermin. 

The greatest annoyance we had to contend with, while 
in No. 4, was the fleas, which in magnitude, I will not 
say exceeded the fabled musquitoe of New Orleans, but 
whose bite may be said, without endangering one's reputa- 
tion in making the assertion, was not inferior to the famous 
gallinipper of the same section of country. These trou- 
blesome, sharpset 'nimble skips' were not to be seen 
during the day, but the moment that the hour of rest 
arrived, they were ever rioting upon the wearied, probing 
the tenderest points, and playfully gamboling at the de- 
struction they caused to the sleeper's rest. Even when 
glutted to satiety, they would claw, kick, scratch, and 
sidle about, as though they were over-charged with mis- 
chief, and wished to introduce the surplus into the pores 
of their uneasy and fretful bed-fellow, but from their mer- 
curial temperaments, found it difficult to hold still whilst 
going through the process of inoculation. 

The only way I could sleep, was to draw a cap down 
to my chin, button and pin up close, slip on a pair of 
duck trousers, tie them below my feet, secure my hands 
from all outward approach, leave no vulnerable part un- 
protected, and then trust the rest to chance. In this 
way, I could rest the first three or four hours of the night, 
while others, who took no such precautions, were pelting, 
fuming, and fighting against a foe, that, however posi- 
tive of location, could not be seen. As often as one part 
was assailed, and demonstrations made for a wholesale 
slaughter, the enemy would decamp, but to pounce upon 
another assailable position more tender than the last ; and 
so on through the entire night — ever attacking, always 
fleeing, but fast sticking where least expected or wanted. 

As I before said, I found no difficulty in resting the 
first part of the night, till disturbed by ugly dreams of 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 059 

shouts, tumults and other vagaries of one's sleeping fan- 
cies, which generally terminated by Shortland's bringing 
his soldiers to a charge with their close columns — on, on 
they come ! the crowd is impenetrable from its density, 
(I nerveless, without strength or motion, at its mercy,) 
which in their retreating rush, become entangled in a 
thorn hedge, without the power of flying farther from 
the impending torture, when by the rush of the soldiers, 
with their line of bristling bayonets, I am pierced in a 
thousand parts — spring to my feet, and find for each 
bayonet and thorn point, that a legion of these prowling 
blood-suckers have forced through the strong outworks, 
carried the citadel, and are carousing upon the spoils of 
the sacked city, as by agreement before entering upon the 
siege. To walk till daylight was far more pleasant than 
to attempt again to sleep. 

Strange as it may appear, I had not the least appetite 
from the day my messmates left the prisons, till after my 
turn came to follow them ; although, previous to that 
period, when in health, I do not think I was ever other- 
wise than hungry ; and that to a degree of tormenting 
misery, especially during the longest days, when I had 
nothing to depend upon but my allowance ; yet now I 
loathed what I saw — cared for nothing except the one 
exciting subject, 'when, when shall we be released?' 

Thanks to a kind Providence, and a good constitution, 
my health was re-established, my person had gained its 
wonted robustness, and my usual elasticity as well as 
strength, were returned in full. Still, I could not eat, 
but each day sold my allowance of meat, the half of my 
bread, and saved the money, knowing when I was called 
out, it would be of service in the purchase of such re- 
freshments as I might need on the road to the sea-board. 

On the first of July, a draught of Frenchmen came 
up from Plymouth, followed by others, in the course of 
the next four succeeding daA's, till they amounted to 
nearly four thousand in all. These men had been taken 



260 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

in the battle of Ligny, the sixteenth of June, two davs 
before that of Waterloo ; and so quickly had they been 
hurried oft", that their wounds had remained undressed — 
many having the clotted blood scarcely dried upon their 
clothes and persons, with sabre cuts still covered with 
gore, or reeking with the crimsoned drops trickling from 
their gashed orifices. Others were without their helmets 
or military caps, their uniforms rent and torn to tatters, 
indicating the strife that took place in the deadly melee of 
the contending parties, before being conquered. Those 
whose wounds were such as not to admit of their march- 
ing, were sent to the hospitals in Plymouth. 

The majority of these men were not over twenty or 
twenty-two years of age, and many of those who were 
older had, but a few months previous, departed from these 
walls, which were again to confine them to an indefinite 
period. They were lively, cheerful, and skipped about 
with the playful nimbleness of frolicking school-boys, 
seeming to care but little for their future imprisonment, 
or the hardships before them. 

We were permitted to converse with these captured 
Frenchmen through the gratings, till the turnkey saw us 
srivinsr them our cooking: utensils, which we should have 
no use for, after leaving the place, when he forthwith 
stopped all further intercourse. Knowing we could not 
carry them with us, and when left they would become 
his perquisites, he was determined to turn them to the 
best account by making his bargain with the new-comers, 
as he had done before with the articles the former French- 
men had left behind, by selling them to the Americans, 
who took the place of the others in the Depot. 

As soon as his object was found out, a platform was 
erected next to the wall separating us from our neigh- 
bours, with the mess tables brought from the other prisons, 
one mounted and passed over to them such articles as 
were handed to him — tables, benches, stools, stoves, boil- 
ers, bowls, plates, etc. etc. were rapidly changing hands, 



LAST WEEK IX DARTMOOR. 2GI 

till again prohibited by Parker, the turnkey. After this, 
each that had aught to spare, either for the benefit of the 
Frenchmen, or the aggravation of the turnkey, threw it 
over as best he could — tin kettles, stewpots, frying pans, 
sauce pans, flesh forks, crockery, jugs, bottles, old hats, 
and shoes — all took a flying leap from our side, to that 
occupied by these mercurial fellows, who were singing 
and dancing about, making every exertion to catch what 
was thus showered upon them, however worthless or un- 
acceptable ; for occasionally some waggish scamp in his 
hurry, would toss over a paving stone or brick bat, with- 
out their knowing what was comine:, till the weight ad- 
monished them, that it was neither a tin pot nor slipper. 
The heavier articles, such as tables and benches, were 
broken up and cast over in detail, till we had nothing 
more to give them, or to leave to the rapacious turnkey. 

To show how easy these French were to manage, in 
comparison with the Americans, I will merely say, that 
twenty-five hundred came from Plymouth, under a guard 
of three hundred soldiers; and they marched in as com- 
pact a body, as though under the surveillance of their 
adored Emperor; while at no one time were there rising 
three hundred and fifty of the others taken (I will not 
say marched) to prison, without an equal or greater num- 
ber of soldiers to guard them. 

These Frenchmen knew what the value of small arti- 
cles were to men in their condition, for whenever they 
could see a stick, a piece of wood, a rotten branch or 
limb, or a few strands of rope yarns, they were secured 
and brought with them, many having an armful of what 
would not be worth the picking up to a careless inex- 
perienced person ; yet to one going to a prison destitute 
of every thing like wood, these sticks were of incal- 
culable benefit, in stretching their hammocks, making 
clothes-pins, pegs to hang their garments upon, as well as 
furnishing material to work out such toys for sale, as their 
ingenuity suggested. 



262 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

Much sympathy was shown for these Frenchmen, at 
their dreaiy prospect of remaining in prison for an un- 
known period, by the Americans still confined in the 
Depot; yet, no doubt, most of them reached their homes, 
before we did ours; for they were soon released, when 
Bonaparte's second abdication was known, without being 
subject to the conniving tardiness of a matter-of-fact-con- 
structive agent, and had not the Atlantic to cross before 
reaching their native soil. 

I had tried every expedient to while away the tedious- 
ness of these last few days in prison, but found nothing 
to answer ; day succeeded day with a heart-sickening 
sameness, bringing no change of feelings, no relief to 
the aching mind, and no prospect of getting out, only 
that each hour brought us nearer to the one which was 
sooner or later to make us free. 

On the fourth of July, there was a partial procession 
gotten up, but it went off much as a political meeting 
does, where the party calling it, unexpectedly find them- 
selves, on making a motion, out-numbered by those of 
opposite politics. After the failure, each one sought his 
own domicil as quietly as possible ; not from want of 
patriotism, but they were too dispirited to enter into any 
public demonstrations of either congratulation or amuse- 
ment. 

At about one o'clock, by permission of the guard, I 
climbed over the picket fence, which separated the yard 
from the grass plat, walked till tired, sat down, conversed 
with the sentinel, as long as the sentinel would converse 
with me — wished myself a soldier, no doubt the soldier 
wished himself a lounger, and with reason, for the sun 
was warm, and he in full dress ; then came along an 
elderly man, upon the military walk, with a daughter 
upon each arm, the trio in deep black ; they stopped 
and asked many questions — your native place ? parents 
living? why to sea? when out? etc. etc. raised a smile 
upon the features of the youngest — thought I had made 



LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 263 

a decided hit by the pertness of my answers — began to 
plume and straighten myself, till suddenly drawn into 
a kink, by observing I had not on my holiday clothes ; — 
conversation now flagged for want of subject — they too 
walked on, and I was left again to myself. I half reclined 
upon the grass — tried a song in a subdued voice, 'twould'nt 
do — came off much in spirit like the political meeting, 
and was dropped with less harmony ; — trimmed my nails 
with much nicety — counted my fingers, and was happy 
at finding the usual number on each hand ; by-the-bye, 
had there been an odd one, it would have excited my 
curiosity, and given me employment to inquire into the 
cause ; — tried to look at the sun without winking — had 
the worst of it. I then planned in the sward a square city, 
whose sides were the length of my jacknife, had opened 
the main avenues, established the town house, made 
liberal donations for a church, larger appropriations for 
the market — foundation laid for a palace, whose lord 
was I — given the site at the head of the largest square, 
for a restaurant, with a hint to its keeper, if he failed 
in providing good dinners, he need expect nothing farther 
from me but frowns ; was cogitating how best to raise 
a tax without lessening my popularity with the people — to 
save trouble, heedless of consequences, made a forced 
levy upon the whole population. .Now I began to feel as 
though I deserved rest after my public labours — was soon 
drowsy, and slept with a comfort I had been a stranger 
to enjoying, since my abode in No. 4. 

Whilst in a partial waking state, I heard a shout ; but 
whether in reality or a dream I was not sure, till it was re- 
peated; when I awakened without knowning from whence 
it came; nor dared to breathe nor raise my head, lest 
the slightest motion should dispel the hope, my agitated 
mind and quivering heart said could not be true, till 
a third cheer roused all my faculties, and at a single 
spring I was at the grated palisade, over which it did 
not take an instant to leap, without bidding adieu to the 



264 LAST WEEK IN DARTMOOR. 

sentry upon the wall, whose station I so lately wasi 
envious of possessing, but, now I would not exchange 
my situation with a prince ; neither did the dark-eyed 
damsel, with her coyish laugh, claim a tittle of my atten- 
tion or thoughts, for I turned not to see whether she was 
in sight; I left my new-made city to be sacked by the 
moles and pismires of the surrounding district, regardless 
how soon they began their destructive work — indifferent 
alike whether my constituents should charge me with 
deserting them in the hour of trial, or who should empty 
the coffers my recently sweeping levy had so bountifully 
rilled ; for I knew by the shout a cartel was in waiting, 
and I was among the first on the roll call, in my own 
right and person, without shamming other people's name, 
age, height, complexion, and so forth and so on. 

In climbing the pickets, I learned how it was, that he 
of the cachot, so quickly scaled it, before the guard could 
prevent him ; for had there been a regiment of infantry 
in my rear, a masked battery in front, a company of 
horse on each flank, their presence would not have cooled 
my ardor or abated my alacrity of movement, nor their 
united force hindered me from my aim, such an impetus 
did these shouts give my locomotive springs, and such 
energy did they add to my daring. 

When reaching the interior, I found the crier making 
known that 'two hundred and eighty men were to hold 
themselves in readiness to leave the Depot on .he fol- 
lowing morning.' This included nearly the whole of our 
brig's crew, without allowing for those who had escaped 
and died since they were numbered into the prisons. 
As the Fifer was at the tail end of the list, he was fear- 
ful his name might not be reached, and was determined 
to pass out under an assumed one, in the place of 
a man that had recently escaped, in the manner that 
I had attempted before him. 

We had ample time to complete our preparations, if 
any yet remained unfinished, as it was not much past 



LEAVING THE PRISONS. 2G5 

four o'clock when the order was promulgated, with a 
prospect, if needs be, of continuing our exertions deep 
into the night, for the little rest in store for us, by the 
noisy confusion and hilarous joy going on, so elated 
were all, that another draught was to leave on the mor- 
row. I made an attempt to get a moment's sleep, but 
gave it up, as impossible, to such a height of excitement 
had my mind arisen. I aroused up, gained a window 
from the attic story, and, for the first time while in prison, 
saw the stars in the firmament above. More than twenty 
times during the night did I climb to this window, to 
see when the first gray of the morning should streak the 
eastern horizon. The earliest tinge of light was hailed by 
all, with three hearty cheers, the moment it was distinctly 
visible, I could not suppress my joy, and gave full vent 
to my feelings with a lively 'hail ! hail ! to the light 
which is the last to me in Dartmoor!' 



CHAP. XIV. 

LEAVING THE PRISONS, AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 

Shortly after the doors were opened, our rations 
were given to us for the day, with sufficient time to eat. 
before going to the 'call-out gate,' to answer to our 
names. I had never supposed mine to be graced with 
much smoothness, nor overburdened with euphony ; and 
sometimes, when spoken to quickly, or in anger, I was 
compelled to think it partook a little more of a blunt 
nature than of any poetical sweetness ; but now I found 
neither bluntness in the sound, nor roughness in the 
echo, although it was rounded out and chopped square 
at both ends by a big-mouthed John Bull, of Devonshire 
breed, whose voice, in every modulation, was harshness 
23 v.2 



266 LEAVING THE PRISONS, 

itself; and I hope I may be believed, when saying 1 
would have sooner heard it called than any of the two 
hundred and eighty that followed ; or had it been tacked 
to the end of each of the others, and sung out with all 
the sonorous twang the clerk could grace it, I would have 
said 'here !' to them all, and been the last to complain it 
sounded otherwise than pleasant. 

After being called out, I stepped by the gate, before 
going to the clerk's office, to testify (a pardonable offence, 
circumstances considered,) in favour of the Fifer, should 
it be necessary, who, I was anxious should accompany 
me, and I felt almost as much regret at the thoughts of 
a separation, as he would sorrow at being left behind. 
The crowd here was lessened very much from any pre- 
vious draught going out, by the circumstance that none 
w r as allowed outside the building till these were off. 

The Fifer stood in front when the name, that he was 
to assume, was read out, but he noticed it not, till the 
third and last call was made ; and then would have been 
passed over, in spite of the nudgings, winks, and cough- 
in^s, which were showered towards him, had not one 
in his rear given him a start ahead, with no gentle shove, 
good naturedly saying 'his joy has made him dumb,' 
which the clerk took as fact, and suffered him to pass 
without a question. The Fifer did not seem to feel satis- 
fied at the trick, of assuming the name of another, and 
said it was worse, if possible, than remaining in prison — 
that he hated deception, in any shape, as he did the 
whine of a dog at night, and it often brought worse 
consequences. He still was lingering about the gate, 
when, towards the end of the list, his own was called 
out. 

'That's me !' he quickly answered, much elated. 

'O, ho!' said the clerk, 'you're dumb no longer; but in 
answering to your name, you must pass through the gate, 
so be pleased to walk back.' 

'Yes,' said the Fifer as he was returning through the 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 267 

gate, 'you have called but once, so I have two chances 

yet.' 

'Right,' said the clerk, good humouredly, and repeated 
the name a second time, when the Filer responded to it, 
so as to be heard beyond the prison limits, and stalked up 
to the office with the pride and bearing of a courtier after 
receiving additional favours from his prince. 

After passing through the clerk's office, the roll was 
again for the fourth and last time called over, when each 
man in stepping out of the small gate, which opened to 
the highway, received a pair of shoes, but with as little 
regard to size, as to fit ; to this he had to accommodate 
himself as best he could, or exchange with some one 
who likewise had a misfit. 

The gate being low, none could pass out without stoop- 
ing, and as I bent down for the purpose of diving through, 
in the exuberance of my joy at once more being free, I 
said, (rather louder, perhaps, than the circumstance re- 
quired,) 'my parting respects to all behind' — 'a clincher to 
your respects,' came from Parker, the turnkey, who was 
standing next to the gate, accompanied with a kick, drove 
home with a double-soaled shoe, which sent me with a 
battering-ram gait and attitude, a couple of rods on my 
homeward journey. He naturally supposed by my stoop- 
ing posture, that the respect was intended in derision ; a 
mistake wiser men than he misr/it have been led into. But 
I pray the permission of setting him aright, hoping in 
future he may take the will for the deed, and not the posi- 
tion for the meaning. As there was a barrier between us, 
we merely glanced looks of defiance, each knowing his 
side of the grate was the safer for the time being;. I did 
not dare to show the least displeasure, lest I might be 
called back ; and he feared to come out, as others had 
accounts of longer standing than mine, which would have 
claimed precedence. However, good came out of it ; for 
the circumstance of any one being so 'low (altogether the 
fault of the gate) as to be kicked out of prison,' offered a 



268 LEAVING THE PRISONS, 

handle for jeering merriment, till I would any other had 
been the butt, at the risk of being taxed with a callous 
indifference at all such distinguished honours. I strongly 
suspect the indignity proffered and so freely given, by the 
turnkey, without a qualifying 'by y'r leave,' was premedi- 
tated, and for the following reasons; although I must con- 
fess it was partly deserved for not better calculating my 
distance before giving loose to my excited feelings, or for 
interlarding the phraseology with such peculiar gesticula- 
tions, that the dumb-headed fellow could not for the want 
of time properly appreciate my motive. 

After the miscarriage of my attempt to get out of pri- 
son, the furniture of the mess fell to me, as the only 
legatee. Among the rest were a table and two benches, 
that the members had purchased from this same turnkey, 
at the moderate price of two pounds sterling, being at a 
reduction of five shillings from the previous sale, he had 
made to others that had long since gone out, the table 
again reverting to him. He once more had his eye 
upon this piece of furniture, intending to make up the loss 
of the last sale, by putting an additional ten shillings to 
the former amount, when offering it to the French prison- 
ers, after our departure. This I set about counteracting, 
and when the fit was at its height of giving to our fellow- 
captives, I was over-officious in exhibiting my zeal, while 
breaking it up, and casting it over the wall in piece-meals, 
when I knew the eyes of this turnkey were watching me 
from under the military walk at the top of the yard. 

Peradventure, by the rankling effect of his malevolence, 
he thought himself over-paid for the loss of the table, and 
the kick was given in return change ; — granted ; but the 
hurry of the moment, whilst footing up his accounts, did 
not sanction his adding objectionable items to the bottom, 
any more than stamping his mark thereon, and forcing it 
upon one's acceptance through the hands of a rough-shod 
agent, who, with unblushing effrontery, walks in and takes 
his seat, as though he was an invited guest, maugre the 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 2G9 

backs turned against all such undue familiarity. Now 
that I have fully learned the value of a deal-board mess 
table, in all future transactions with this worthy knight of 
the thick-soled shoe, my determination is, to authorize a 
clerk to pay him in his own issues, with instructions to toe 
well the mark, or expect the same coin at his quarter pay 
day ; but if so fortunate as to be on the credit side of the 
ledger, I will appoint trustees to receive whatever may be 
my just dues, and should their commission charges cover 
the whole of the assets, they may rest assured of having 
their claim granted without a demurring clause. 

The revenge the turnkey was welcome to, but the table 
should not again have fallen into his hands, for a score of 
kicks — no, not if I were forced to stay in prison, to keep 
good my possession. The table, that had so often re- 
sounded to the good cheer of such lively hearts ! and 
three of whom were Nelson's own! to fall into such 
hands ? tell it not in Gath ! 

Like all the preceding detachments, at the head of ours 
was displayed a raw-head-and-bloody-bone standard, em- 
blematical of the massacre, with 'Shortland the murderer' 
in conspicuous capitals, flanked on each side by the stars 
and stripes. These colours had been smuggled into the 
prisons, by those who secured them after their capture, 
and had less trouble, or better luck, in concealing them, 
than the one who attempted to keep the brig's penants, 
when under the inquisitorial scrutiny of the Leander's 
serjeant, as noticed in the first volume. After cheering, 
we set out on our march. 

Previous to leaving the prisons, I was determined to 
watch well the sun, to see when or if ever, it would come 
to the right place, a trivial circumstance to the reader, but 
far otherwise to the writer: for it had been a source of 
annoyance to me, ever since I had made the discovery, 
that the cardinal points were all wrong. When we had 
gained the angle of the road, a half mile from our starting 
place, and the last point from which I could see the 
23* v.2 



270 LEAVING THE PRISONS, 

Depot, I ascended the bank, took a long last view of those 
sombre buildings, in which I had so strangely been an 
inmate, was running over in my mind, some of the 
many circumstances, which had occurred since I had 
been therein, as well as moralizing upon the probability 
of my never seeing them again, either as a captive 
or otherwise, and might have continued my musings 
till missing my companions' company to Plymouth, had 
not the guard, who had remained near by without my 
noticing it, put an end to my brown study, by saying we 
were alone, and must walk quickly to gain the detach- 
ment. 

I tripped lightly on for some distance, when I suddenly 
thought of the sun, for the first time since I left the 
Depot ; but now all was right — the sun was where it 
should be and where I was wont to see it, previous to 
my incarceration, w r here it had always risen at the place 
it should have set. 

This change I was willing to believe was the beginning 
of the clearing up of those clouds of adversity, which 
had lowered so heavily upon my spirits, on entering the 
gates — hoping it a prognostic that the chain of sad 
events was broken, and that my future lot might be as 
bright as latterly it had been gloomy ; yet, amid all my 
cause of rejoicings, with all my buoyancy of spirits, my 
mind could not revert to the night of my entrance into 
those prisons — to the pitiless storm, my debilitated state, 
the horror of mind, and the gloomy future, without a curd- 
ling chill creeping through my veins, which is yet easily 
remembered, with an involuntarily effort of the imagina- 
tion to cling to other objects, that can be thrust off without 
a pang, and forgotten without an effort. Time may blunt 
the poignancy of scenes like these ; but oblivion alone 
can erace them from the mind. I mentally exclaimed, 
'never may those events be renewed, or I again encounter 
such trials, till the sun shall rise in the west and set in 
the east.' 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 271 

The difference of my feelings, sentiments and health, 
now, compared to what they were, when last I travelled 
this route, was not greater than the face of the country, 
the balminess of the atmosphere, and the beauty of the 
day. Then, I was famished, wearied, dispirited, and on 
the way to a loathsome prison, teeming with contagious 
pestilence ; now, I was lively, vigorous, robust, full of 
vivacity, going with an elastic step towards my much 
loved home. So with the face of nature ; at that time, 
dreary winter enveloped all, making every thing look 
sad and drooping, naught was to be seen but the wither- 
ing and hoary effects of winter; all else was shut out 
from beyond the immediate road-side, by the obscurity 
of the thickened atmosphere ; — as little was to be heard, 
except the howling of the driving storm, whose drenching 
rains and murky mists were only equalled by its moaning 
blasts, adding despondency to dreariness, while all was 
over-shadowed by an indescribable gloom. But now a 
bright July sun was shining upon the luxuriant growth of 
vegetation, which had sprung up in profusion under its 
genial warmth, giving nature a softened and merry appear- 
ance, where then sadness only predominated. Undulating 
landscapes were to be seen in every direction, swelling in 
grandeur, till undefined by distance alone ; — spread around 
were meadows, whose smooth surface and unvaried same- 
ness, would have proved irksome to the sight, only for 
being crossed by luxuriant hedges, with a regidarity of 
growth and nicety of trim, that showed the proprietor had 
other views besides that of gain, only ; — here were hills 
clad with a growing verdure, giving nutriment to the 
many cattle grazing upon their slopes and summits ; — 
fields teeming with abundance, maturing a rich return 
to the husbandman, who with his merry train, is busily 
gathering the yesterday's mown hay, while the youngsters 
have dropped their rakes, and are striving, at the risk 
of their wind, who shall outstrip the other, in being the 
first at the road-side, to see our motley and chequered 



272 LEAVING THE PRISONS, 

detachment passing; — cottages, turrets, and spires peep- 
ing from amid shade trees, cheerily met the sight, at 
each turn of the road ; — from every rising hill thickly 
clustered villages, with variegated hues heightened to 
romantic beauty by the sun's sparkling rays, were scat- 
tered, one beyond the other far into the mazy distance : — 
and, occasionally some antiquated mansion, with its time- 
deadened walls and dilapidated towers, proudly loomed 
in aristocratical coldness above the whole, till the distant 
blue rising cut the horizon, and shut out all beyond. 

Even while passing the 'half way' stone-tavern, I 
thought the bar-room from the open window, looked 
as though some comfort was there ; — in the place of the 
grate being filled with ignited coals, emitting a dark- 
ened smoke with its noxious suffocating gas, were now 
flowers of every hue and variety, fantastically displayed, 
showing the taste of the hand that arranged them. The 
children were gamboling upon the green sward, instead 
of creeping about with a snails pace, over the cold and 
damp flags of the room : and the landlady's 'God protect 
ye, till ye get to yer 'appy 'omes,' was a far smoother 
greeting, than 'where's yer mounee, lad ? let's see yer 
mounee — ye canna come it, "ithout yer mounee.' 

We did not tarry at this tavern, as when going up ; for 
we were too eager to push on to think of being tired with 
a walk of five miles, nor did we stop in our journey, till 
we came to the 'nine mile rock,' where the guard was 
changed. 

Amongst the relief that were to take us to Plymouth, 
was my friend the corporal, who had battled so stoutly 
and successfully with the wagoner, that I should ride 
upon the baggage, over the hills leading to Dartmoor, 
in my gloomy journey thither the past winter. He was 
as much surprised at seeing me, as I was gratified in 
meeting with him. 

We were pushing along by the side of each other in 
earnest conversation upon different topics, when I was 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 273 

attracted by a voice near by, as in continuation of a 
subject. 

'I meant to be the first to help him out of his difficul- 
ties, as I was the first to help him to his high station ; but 
he has slipped his cables and ran out, without thanking 
me for my kindness.' 

'You mean he has slipped from his ways, and bless me, 
if I should'nt liked to have seen the launch, for it must 
have been a clean run till he stuck in the mud against the 
opposite bank, without endangering his keel, for all was 
loblolly to the depth of his bends.' 

I looked up, and for the first time discovered we were 
between the banks, upon which the countryman, with his 
donkey and cart, was so unceremoniously pushed and left 
on its steep declivity, as narrated in the last chapter of 
the first volume of this work. 

The eminence we gained soon after meeting the relief 
guards, gave us the first view of the ocean ; and never 
were cheers sent forth with more heartfelt joy, than those 
from the glad hearts of the three hundred voices which 
simultaneously gushed forth. The soldiers catching the 
contagious hilarity, joined the inspiring — 

'Hurrah ! hurrah ! for the bright blue sea, 
Three cheers, my lads, for the ocean we see ; 

until the hills echoed to the joyous sound. 

On reaching the tavern, we had liberty to halt for an 
hour, and I felt an inexpressible satisfaction, that I pos- 
sessed the means, by the sale in part of my rations for 
the week past, to return the kindness shown me by the 
corporal, when the landlady would not receive the eagle 
half dollar, in exchange for her beer and 'rasher of 
beekon.' 

While seated in the porch of the hotel, or upon the 
green sward banks in the shade of the building and 
surrounding shrubbery, soldiers and prisoners mingled 
freely and indiscriminately together; — each member of 



274 LEAVING THE PRISONS, 

the many circles with his pot of beer, hard biscuit and 
cheese, purchased by those who had the means and freely 
shared with others who had nothing, all alike were gay 
and happy. The story teller of this squad is now in his 
^element, reeling off some wonderful circumstance he has 
either seen or heard, now claiming the whole gallantry of 
the exploit to himself, to make it the more interesting to 
his hearers. Yon songster of the other circle is gruffly 
chaunting away with some narrative of by-gone days, all 
the more romantic by being ancient, out of date, impro- 
bable, and remote in location. The old stager is easily 
known from the novice, by his presenting himself where 
the pot is oftener replenished — bringing in play such 
insinuating hints, as to get the first handling of the newly 
filled noggin, never waiting for the second invitation, and 
leaving the duty to whom he passes it, a mere sinecure, 
by the small quantity remaining. 

That veteran man-of-war's-man has engaged the atten- 
tion of those lately recruited soldiers, as can plainly be 
seen, by the eagerness their gaping mouths and wide- 
stretched eyes are greedily watching the diagrams he is 
working in his open palm, to aid him in his meaning, 
while explaining the manoeuvres of the fight that has im- 
mortalized him as a hero and a story-teller, by having 
taken part in the battle, and lauding his exploits ever 
since; at each narration happily recollecting some won- 
derful achievement before in oblivion, till by-and-by his 
tale will be worth recording, if hair-breadth escapes, inci- 
dent upon incident, brag and swagger, are worth pen, ink, 
and paper. Now he is explaining the consternation of 
the French, when he boarded them over the larboard bow, 
and if their grimaces be but half as ugly as he represents 
them, they are an enemy to be feared, and their captors 
deserve all the praise this representative can bestow upon 
them, for their daring intrepidity and determined perse- 
verance in forcing them to surrender. While his auditory 
are swallowing this hard fought battle, the speaker has 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 275 

swallowed the last of the beer, and declares the foe 
are too stubborn to be beaten from their deck, unless the 
assailants are strengthened by fresh supplies of the need- 
ful. Rather than miss the capture of the Frenchman, his 
pot is again filled by his listeners, and now the enemy's 
utter annihilation is inevitable, as this is the third rein- 
forcement he has had, to back him in the fight. This 
man, though American both in birth and in heart, is as 
tenacious of the honour of Old England's naval glory, 
when the French are encountered, as though on his zeal 
depended its reputation. 

The tall hypochondriacal bilious visage, with the muti- 
lated queue, has at last secured the attention of a small 
group, among whom is the sergeant; and to him is he 
detailing his unheard-of troubles : how he put to sea in 
his own freighted vessel, was captured, lost his property, 
went to prison, where he has remained more than two 
years, without ever seeing a well day, 'or ever shall 
again;' for his latter end is near at hand, and die he must, 
probably before night, if his words are to be believed ; 
nay, he would have been mouldering in dust long since, 
if but a tithe of his predictions had been verified. Now 
he is launching; into the atrocities of Shortland during; the 
massacre, if one may form an opinion by his oft-repeated 
pointings to the black-bordered standard. Yes, now we 
are certain of his meaning, by his raising his hat, and 
showing how the ball grazed the back of his head, 
leaving; three finders' breadth of the skull bare, taking; 

DO ' D 

away the half of his well nursed and highly prized 
queue. Hear him detail how he was persuaded to walk 
in the yard, much against his wont and will ; how his low 
state of health would not admit of his washing his face, 
trimming his chin, nor gartering his long stockings, much 
to the amusement of the youngsters, who let no opportu- 
nity pass, (greatly to the chagrin of the sloven,) of point- 
ing at his slipped-down hose, and short-legg;ed trousers, 
which left ten inches of his brawny unscrubbed legs to 



276 LEAVING THE PRISONS 



keep the connexion good betwixt his clumsy beetling 
feet and his body corporate. How, when the firing com- 
menced, he had wandered to unknown regions, full twen- 
ty rods from his domicil, without the possibility of ever 
reaching it again, on account of his increased debility, yet 
the occasion required an effort; — how the faster he ran, 
the more rapidly the soldiers fired, all aiming at him ; he 
flew swifter than sped the balls in pursuit ; but, in turn- 
ing into the open door, a bullet from one on the wall 
done the murder, 'took his brain clean out, deprived him 
of sense, motion, and life ;' yet, by the tremendous im- 
petus his body had gained, together with the long pent- 
up locomotion of his limbs, which could not be stayed, 
he was enabled to reach his mess-place ; here he raved, 
swore, yelled, forgot his sickness, which never after 
troubled him as before — 'knew he was a dead man;' — how 
he sat upright all night in his hammock, rocking his body 
to a moaning death-dirge ; was too far gone to lie down, 
till persuaded by a wag, that his corpse could only be 
buried in a sitting posture, as disrespectful to the gods 
as it was unbecoming to himself, wife, and connexions; 
and how he could not be influenced to go to the hospital, 
lest, in dressing his wound, the 'surgeon might deprive 
him of the rest of his queue.' Had the wild beasts in the 
greatest menagerie in the times of the sports of the 
Roman emperors, been all stirred up at once, their bel- 
lowing roar could not have been more terrific than was 
continually belching forth from the lungs of this 'dead 
killed' captain, of Portsmouth, when he came to his mess- 
place in prison No. 5, with strides 'long and oft.' Verily, 
we thought for the half hour after he was hurt, a concert 
from a horde of buffaloes was pealing forth, and that the 
bull of Bashan was its leader. This unusual bewailing 
in sounds unheard-of, was not at the pain or severity of 
the wound, but for the loss of his pig-tail queue, which 
he had most religiously sworn 'should not be clipped 
till once more at his fire-side home, surrounded by his 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 277 

wife and children.' It is to be presumed he is absolved 
from his oath, as this species of clipping never came into 
the calculation when he applied for the registering. Had 
he slackened his speed but a third of an inch, his brain 
would have been as unceremoniously dealt with, as was 
his favourite long hair. The hurt was deserved, for giving 
the writer so great a fright the first night of his entrance 
into the prisons, with his farthing candle. 

There is that mischief-loving fellow, again at his old 
tricks of tormenting the soldiery. You see he has suc- 
ceeded in making fast a bit of spun yarn to the skirts of 
yonder red-coat, who is sitting upon the top rail of the 
yard palings. If, when he leaps off, his coat is not trans- 
formed into a jacket, it is because John Peach has made 
a slip-noose instead of a hard knot; or that the coat is of 
material strong enough to hold the soldier dangling. This 
roguish chap has forgotten the rough handling he received 
during the firing on the sixth of April, for similar favours 
previously shown to the guards, and, may be, for his 
agency in picking the wall ; for where mischief was 
going on, there this lad might ever be found, and always 
in his glory. In his endeavours to escape, he gains the 
rear door, finds it fast, lies snugly ensconced out of harm's 
way, till the coast is clear; now he jumps out, with 
the intention of gaining the open door, runs like a devil, 
forgetting his known yellow trousers displays so desirable 
a mark for those who have old scores to wipe off, receives 
a parting salute from those upon the wall, among whom 
is an adept at wing shooting, who pins him through the 
thick part of the thigh. Should he raise another such a 
whoop as when brought in and laid upon the mess table 
in No. 5 prison, the present guard would grasp their 
arms, hastily form into a square, in readiness to rep< I 
the expected onset of a Cossack horde, whose hurrah 
could not be more appalling than that bellowed forth from 
the bowels of this porpoise -shaped lad of Marblehead. 

There too is the cheek-by-jowl companion of him^of 
•24 Y.-2 



278 LEAVING THE PRISONS, 

the shot thigh, as merrily kicking up his heels as ever j 
but his activity is not to be compared to that displayed 
while the firing was going on at the massacre, as many 
can witness, who saw him start to reach the prisons with a 
deer-leap, while the soldier in his rear, anxious to help 
him on with his run, let him have the contents of his 
musket, eleven buck-shot, about midway between his 
head and heels, rearwards. It was difficult to say by the 
jump he made, the pressing both hands against the diseased 
parts, and suddenly turning himself into a spinning-top, 
whether he was desirous of displaying his agility before 
the crowd, anxious to hold in the grist, to force out the 
pain, or was striving to make up in his mind, if the lead 
was intended for ballast, that he could carry more sail on, 
or was lent to him as a propelling force ; the latter conclu- 
sion he came to, after continuing his twirling motions forty 
seconds, at the rate of twenty turns to the second, till he 
had gathered wind enough to start ahead, when away he 
went, with a fleetness beyond the bullets that followed in 
his wake, without once removing his hands from the seat 
of pain, from first to last, regardless alike of the awkward- 
ness of his gait, and the danger of outrunning all, except 
what he had clinched with such pertinacity of purpose. 

I have never seen a party where such universal good 
will prevailed, as in this, during the resting of the detach- 
ment by the road-side, at the country inn, while on the 
way to Plymouth. 

We required no persuasion to be again on our march ; 
but we early found some of our red-coated companions 
had dipped too deep into the beer barrel, for them to keep 
that exact perpendicular, so much desired by a disciplina- 
rian. So many were in this predicament, that many of 
the muskets were shouldered by those they were in- 
tended to guard ; I myself carried one upwards of three 
miles, and then gave it up to a fellow-prisoner. Not one 
except the soldiers, were in the least intoxicated, although 
the whole party appeared to have as much beer, the only 
beverage purchased at the inn, as they wished. Some of 



AND MARCHING TO PLYMOUTH. 279 

the older seamen turned away and scowled in very disgust 
upon those of weaker heads becoming merry upon beer. 
'But wait,' as he was freely expressing his opinion of these 
muddling heads, 'if I don't show how a man can do it 
genteelly, then call me a soldier, and the quicker the 
enlisting papers are prepared the better, for I will enlist to 
hide my shame for being a lubber.' 

Of the whole detachment, there were not twenty but 
who belonged to the New-England states, which accounts 
in part for the means that most possessed to purchase his 
pot of beer and other refreshments while on the march ; 
and it likewise showed a trait of the yankee boys' early 
training;: for whenever was known a lad in that section 
without his 'spending money' when the holiday arrived, 
be he ever so poor? 

Before coming to the suburbs of Plymouth, the com- 
mander of the detachment, knowing his soldiers were not 
in trim to gain him especial credit, took a circuit of three 
miles around the city, greatly to the disappointment of 
those who wished to see its interior. We went through 
one portion of Plymouth, however, before reaching the 
landing; and we were uniformly greeted with kind words 
by the large crowds which were drawn together. Hands 
were extended for a friendly farewell shake, with the hope 
of meeting our wives, our mothers, our sweethearts, our 
sisters, and our friends, in health and happiness, with 
earnest prayers for gentle breezes and favourable gales 
to waft us speedily to them. Not a jeer of scorn was 
offered, nor a harsh expression used, to make us more 
sensible of our helpless and needy situations, notwith- 
standing the 'bloody-bone' standard was still flying at the 
head of the detachment. 

This lengthening of the march, to those who had not 
been accustomed to walk far at a time for months or years, 
became tedious in the extreme, aggravated as it was by 
an intense hot sun and dusty roads ; and on reaching the 
landing, the majority were ready to give out by fatigue 
and the soreness of their feet, the latter in part caused bv 



280 LEAVING THE PRISONS. 

wearing the new shoes given to them in the morning, 
when starting from the Depot. 

A sufficient number of boats were in readiness to con- 
vey the whole at once to the cartel, which lay about a 
mile and a half from the landing. When reaching the 
ship, we found our luggage had been sent on before us, 
and was waiting our arrival, in as good order as if it had 
been locked up and forwarded in the baggage-car of a 
railroad train. 

Free permission was given us to go on shore ; yet few 
availed themselves of the privilege, most preferring to re- 
main on board and make ready their hammocks and mess 
places for the coming voyage. Notwithstanding my fear 
of being: sent back, when first arriving at Plymouth, with- 
out an opportunity of saying afterwards, 'I have been on 
English soil,' I was now quite satisfied with what I had 
trodden, prefering to postpone my visit till I could make 
it in better trim. Besides, I felt unsafe in going ashore, 
lest the cartel might put to sea, forgetting I was a passen- 
ger, whose passage was paid in advance. 

We lay amidst the larger vessels in port, and within 
half a cable's length of the Royal Sovereign. The night 
after we reached the cartel, a ball was given on board 
of this three-decker, and if her company and interior 
arrangements were as splendid, as her outward embellish- 
ments of illuminations and fireworks shone, it must have 
been a sight but seldom seen. No free admissions, nor 
general invitations to strangers, were sent out, else the 
reader should not now be left in the dark with regard to 
the whole proceedings of that grand fete ; for were we not 
the most recent strangers arrived ? ergo, the most distin- 
guished, and should have ranked highest. 

Our joys, like all others, were destined to meet with 
its alloy ; for the vessel in which we were to cross the 
Atlantic, had been chartered and cleared for Charleston, 
S. C. On an examination, it was ascertained that but one 
of the two hundred and eighty on board, belonged to that 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 281 

place, but four south of the Delaware, and less than 
twenty that came from elsewhere than New-England. 
Perhaps the cause of so few being on board, who hailed 
from the south, was owing to the following circumstance : 
soon after the confirmation of peace, a selection was made 
among the whole body of prisoners, of such as belonged 
to Charleston, S. C. and places contiguous thereto, (with- 
out respect to the time they had been incarcerated,) 
enough to fill a vessel that was chartered to go thither. 
In the selection, many were included, who, in registering, 
had given Charlestown, Mass. as their birth-place, and 
were thus released, without the authorities knowing that 
the two were not one and the same place. 

In the dilemma we were in, by the ship going to a port 
so contrary to our wishes, a remonstrance was drawn up, 
and signed by all, against the cruelty of being landed at 
so great a distance from their homes, at a season of the 
year of all others the most sickly; and when Mr. William?, 
the agent at Plymouth for captured Americans, came on 
board for the last time, a delegation was appointed to 
present the remonstrance to him in a respectful manner, 
but in tones that demanded a categorical answer. His 
reply was, 'the destination of the ship cannot now be 
altered ; — you are the freight ; — regulate this matter when 
you get into blue water.' 



CHAP. XV. 

SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

At two o'clock, July sixth, the foretopsail was dropped, 

word passed to man the windlass, and never was an anchor 

at the bows, and a ship of three hundred and fifty tons 

quicker under way, than was the Henrietta, the one which 

24* v.2 



282 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

was to convey us across'the Atlantic. Every man lent his 
aid — the more experienced laying aloft with an alacrity 
proportionate to the anxiety they felt to be on their home- 
ward passage, and the time they had been kept from their 
favourite employment. The masts and yards were liter- 
ally covered with living beings, making the duty of the 
ship's crew a perfect sinecure. We passed the many 
men-of-war in the harbour, in a proud style, and from 
them our cheers were returned, with a lively good will. 

The vessel that was to be our home for a limited period, 
was an exceedingly old one, under Russian colours and 
command, the nominal captain being a Russ ; while she 
belonged to a Scotchman, who was captain de facto, 
steward, cook, loblolly-boy, and ship's scavenger; for 
his stubby nose was poking everywhere, and was stuck 
into everything from the longboat to the cook's smoke- 
pipe : and wherever he went, his trail could be easily- 
traced by the everlasting verjuice with which he slimed 
it with his crabbed sourness, from sources as inexhaustible 
as ever surcharged. Let the reader understand this is 
merely an introduction of the Scotchman to his notice, 
his other amiabilities will follow in their turn, as we pro- 
ceed on the voyage. The first mate was a Hollander, 
as were most of the crew, with not a word of English, 
from those doing duty, from the mizzenmast to the fore- 
castle. 

A few days after leaving port, the 'delegation' had an 
interview with the Scotchman, who, in terms shorter than 
his crabbed, angular words, said he was captain and 
owner, and should go where his charter called him. On 
seeing the list of names, which said, (judging from 
looks that were eager to acknowledge their signatures.) 
in terms as determined as his wsre crabbed, and not 
easily to be misunderstood, 'they would not be landed in 
Charleston,' he thought discretion the better part of valor, 
made a sacrilegious attempt to fashion his look to a 
smile, but failed, even after committing the sin, by the 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 2S3 

features partaking of the acrimonious nature of the 
man, and refusing to yield, leaving a kankered gangrene 
where before was only crabbed sourness. He promised 
to let the delegates know his will in the course of the 
next day ; but after a week's deliberation, his memory 
required prompting, when he consented and bargained 
to land the passengers either in New York or Norfolk, 
whichever way the wind should prove most favourable. 
When about a week from port, soon after eight o'clock, 
a. m. a sail was discovered to the windward, directly 
astern of us, with indications of keeping in our track ; 
yet so far away as not to be discernable below her top- 
gallantsails. As she proved a better sailer than our ship, 
it was not long before she rose, so that her general rig 
could be plainly seen w r ith the glass. Her appearance 
gave much uneasiness to some on board, lest she should 
prove one of the many Algerine cruisers, which were 
known to be at sea at that time. With the difficulties 
then existing between the United States and the sover- 
eignty of these free-booters, which were then at their 
height, one's chance of reaching home was less, than 
that of exchanging his captivity in an English prison, 
for perpetual slavery in Algerine work-shops — certainly, 
a not very pleasing circumstance, should the predic- 
tions of these croakers prove true, and we fall into 
their clutches. 

As the stranger loomed up, so as to give all a chance 
of speculating upon her character, without waiting their 
turn at the glass, which had not been idle since the sail 
hove in sight, the men formed into knots and groups, 
many with evident fear upon their weather-worn coun- 
tenances, as some with greater experience, pretended to 
point out the difference of her rig, from that of all civi- 
lized nations who had scmare-rigged men-of-war afloat. 
The fear or excitement gathered strength and stretched 
farther among the crowd, as the stranger let off a gun, 
that was shotted, when at three times the distance she 
could possibly expect to reach us. 



234 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

'If that don't prove there are no christian gunners on 
board ' said the one who had first alarmed the others by 
his early surmises, 'I know nothing of a man-of-war, and 
my eight year's cruisings in a line-of-battle ship has learnt 
me nothing.' 

'Perhaps,' said one, who was yet skeptical as to her 
being a corsair, or wished to lessen his fears by argument, 
'ihe wishes to speak us; and not liking to run farther out 
of her course, the gun was to bring us to.' 

'Bring your granny's wash-tub to with a pop-gun, and 
board her in a clam-shell ! — did you ever see a shotted 
gun let off from any thing of christian make for such a 
purpose ?' 

'I am not so sure it was shotted.' 

'Nor have you sense to know, that the second skip-jack 
yonder, is a shot or a wad — parting the spray from the 
top of the waves, there away two miles astern of the 
mark they are aiming at. If that craft is not a corsair 
or a pirate, which is one and the same thing, my name 
is not Bob Saunders ; and if we don't all go into slavery, 
my dream of last night has for the first time told me a 
lie, for they never spoke but truth before.' 

Such conversations were carried on, while I thought 
the owner of the vessel would rather the strange sail 
had been elsewhere, than immediately to windward, and 
coming up too rapidly for him to be long out of danger, 
should the one in chase choose to plunge a shot towards 
him with malice. 

As the stranger approached, the conversation subsided 
to almost total silence ; nor was it resumed, till she 
rounded up to windward, put out a boat, well manned j 
with an officer in full uniform, who ascended the side 
ladder, nor till he gained the deck, did I recognize the 
feminine, loquacious lieutenant of the Pheasant sloop-of- 
war, the same in which myself and a part of my ship- 
mates had been transported to England. After stepping 
to the cabin and examining the ship's papers, the lieu- 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 285 

tenant was crossing the deck to gain his boat, when I 
purposely put myself in his passage, and was recog- 
nized — complimented on my improved appearance, wished 
a safe passage, and in five minutes, both vessels were 
standing their different courses. 

To me, the jibes of my shipmates were more abun- 
dant than pleasant ; for among the inmates of Dartmoor, 
there was nothing more derogatory, than to say one was 
improving in person and looks — as much as to say, 'you 
are now better here, than you have ever been before, 
both as to food, clothing, and good society ; and when 
you depart, you must take a lower station.' 

After the interview of the delegates with the Scotch 
owner, his conduct appeared to be suspicious, and latterly 
it had proved he was using treachery — that his intentions 
were still to make the port of Charleston, however con- 
trary to the wishes and well-being of the passengers. 
Preparations were made to give him a Roland for an Oli- 
ver, by dividing the men into three watches, placing at 
the head of each, two of coolness, experience, and tried 
abilities, who had navigated vessels across the Atlantic, 
till they knew the track, almost as wellnvithout an obser- 
vation, as with every day taking the sun ; — each party to 
stand a watch on deck, in rotation, should circumstances 
require it. Every man on board came into the measure, 
except the one belonging to Charleston, he not caring 
where he should be landed, provided it was not attended 
with labour to himself. 

As wily as the Scotchman proved himself, there were 
others who out-generaled him ; for whenever the reel was 
held, to ascertain her headway, enough were at hand (to 
relieve the duty of the ship's crew) who always reported 
between decks her progress through the waters ; and care 
was taken to change those, who 'reported progress,' suffi- 
ciently often to prevent suspicion. So when taking an 
observation, other eyes were upon the look-out, besides 
those in the pudding head of the pug-nosed Scotchman, 



286 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

either peering over his shoulder, or belonging to one who 
had all at once fancied it cooler by swinging his body 
carelessly to and fro in the mizzen rigging, with a listless- 
ness that would lull to rest all suspicion, had the eyes 
entered into the seeming sleepiness of the man ; but their 
sharp, set-look towards the quadrant, as the sun was about 
dipping, at last betrayed their meaning, and a change of 
position was the consequence by both parties. 

When this man of all works found out the aim of the 
others was to keep in view the track he was steering, he 
took such measures, as not to be overlooked in future by 
so meddlesome an encumbrance, as was his 'freight.' 
Thus affairs w T ent on for nearly three weeks ; while the 
one party was striving to find out the workings of the 
other, the second was labouring to baffle the aim of the 
first, without a word passing between the two upon this 
subject of dumb-show controversy, made up of inquisito- 
rial anxiety and baffling contrariness. The last four or 
five days had been almost a constant calm, and the ship 
being a dull sailor, but little or no headway was made — 
alike tedious and discouraging. 

The 'delegates'* demanded an examination of the stores, 
as the commencement prognosticated a long passage. 
This was granted them, when they found not more water 
than would suffice for eight weeks from the time of de- 
parture, and as this had been freely dealt out, more than 
the half was already consumed since leaving port. To 
add farther to our anxieties for the future, the ship was 
without a particle of medicine — no provision whatever 
being made for the sick, should there be any taken down, 
before the passage was completed ; and to make our situa- 
tion still more painful, the owner was working his vessel 
to the southward, supposing, when the water became 
short, the passengers would consent for him to run into 
any port he could most easily make, which could be none 
other than a southern one, by the course he had been 
pursuing. 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 2S7 

On the eighteenth day from port, a fair breeze sprung 
up at ten in the forenoon, when by orders of the owner, 
the studdensails were taken in, sent below, and put under 
lock and key; the topsails were close reefed, and the ves- 
sel again headed in a southern direction. This was more 
than tlesh and blood could bear, and to restrain the men 
longer, from what had seemed inevitable for a week past, 
that of taking forcible possession of the ship, was beyond 
the control or wishes of those appointed to the future 
command. 

While the men were forming into groups, with but few 
words, and these in low, sullen, indistinct meaning, in 
readiness to act at the first signal, the Scotchman and his 
'adviser' came on deck to take the sun at twelve o'clock. 
Their calculation was overlooked by one in their rear, 
who reported, 'that at most, the vessel has not made more 
than five hundred miles of the passage, during the time 
she has been at sea, and at this rate she must be with- 
out fresh water, before she reaches the middle of the 
Atlantic' 

This decided the course which was to be adopted ; the 
men required no second hint to be in readiness, as each 
had previously his station assigned him, with directions 
how and when to act. They had carelessly and leisurely 
fallen in, where shortly they were to be wanted, yet with 
so little arrangement or seeming regularity, as not to ex- 
cite the least suspicion in the minds of either the ship's 
owner or his crew. Although the Scotchman must have 
known what would be attempted, yet his security lay, in 
supposing he should see demonstrations on foot, in season 
to frustrate the designs of his passengers. 

At a wink, a little fellow, whose corporate person was 
compressed within the smallest possible dimensions, to 
be called man, but whose soul and nerve were sutlicient 
to spiritualize a twain of larger proportions, (we some- 
times encounter such, and unexpectedly find them hard 
customers,) stepped to the helm, and took it from the 



288 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

Dutchman that was steering, who gave it up willingly, 
thinking the little man only wanted to exercise his hand, 
as he and others had often done before. The one that 
was to have the first command, took the speaking-trumpet 
from the side of the binnacle, and was carelessly exam- 
ining its workmanship, while each was gathering to the 
sheets and braces, ready for the ''bout-ship!' 

At the several flare-ups between the owner and his 
'freight,' I was more pleased at the crosses of the one 
party, than grieved at the merriment of the other ; so now, 
while these plans were maturing, I had the greater curi- 
osity to see the first effect upon the irritable Scotchman, 
of his ship passing into other hands, than I felt a desire 
to lend my aid to the popular cause. He had taken his 
seat at the dinner table, directly over which was the 
glazed sky-light, removed, for the purpose of giving more 
air below, it being intensely hot. He likewise had 
thrown off his coat, and rolled up his sleeves, for the 
better purpose of paying his devoirs to his Sunday dinner 
fare, of plum-pudding, Scotch broth, and other dainties, 
which, by his longing appetite breaking through his par- 
simonious habits, he had for once allowed himself the 
indulgence of a well-covered table. Thinks I, you will 
have sauce for your pudding of another seasoning, from 
that you are now sopping your dainty titbits in, before 
you are done, unless you hurry and come on deck; but 
I was cut short in my sage cogitations, as was the Scotch- 
man in the anticipation of his luscious mouthful ; for, 
after giving it three or four circular slides around the 
plate, to gather up a coating of the surplus gravy for the 
necessary easing, that it should not stick in its downward 
course, he had poised it for the gulp, when his arm was 
paralyzed by the trumpet's full-toned command on deck — 
'square the yards !' 

The head of the Scotchman was thrown up with a 
spasmodic jerk, and remained as immovably fixed as a 
Bowie knife, after snapping into its unyielding socket — 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 289 

exhibiting less forgiveness in his up-turned look, than the 
knife displays malice in its most reckless propensities ; 
but whether k his spectre gaze was directed at me, or the 
swinging compass hanging directly in a line between us, 
I did not exactly know at first, yet I concluded it must 
be me he wanted — was willing to interpret the eager look 
into an invitation for me to come below and take pot-luck 
w r ith him, and had twice nodded assent to his generous 
heart and kind offer, in singling me out from the rest, my 
backward nature requiring a second invitation, before I 
could bring my timidity into harness, and step below, 
when he saw by the compass the vessel was falling off 
from her course, bounced up, as though an explosive 
bomb-she^ had given him motive power, and rushed on 
deck, knife and fork in hand, the latter knobbed with the 
reeking pudding and the over-sop of gravy still adhering 
to it. As good fortune would have it, thanks to her 
gentle kindness, for my liquorish, longing appetite had 
prepared me for quite a different reception, he passed by, 
and made directly at that concentrated extract of lignum- 
vitag tanned in hickory, at the helm, thinking to over- 
whelm him at the first onset, as well he might, when 
comparing the bulk of both, and the larger having the 
advantage of its propelling force in his favour; but had 
it been a stanchion of iron, framed into the deck, the 
Scotchman would have had no harder job to sweep it 
away, than had he, when encountering this man of might 
in pigmy form. The only word uttered by the little man 
to the dire wrenchings of the wrathful owner, whose utter- 
ance was entirely choked by passion, was, '1 am here!' 
scarcely removing his eyes from the head sails in seeing 
how they drew the wind with his course of steering. 

The Scotchman finding he could make nothing out of 
the helmsman, flew off, encountering a stern one to his 
right, when his speech suddenly came to him, and he 
exclaimed, with uplifted hands, (implements included) — 

'You damned, hang-dog, piratical, cut-throat yankees, 
•25 v.2 



290 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

(excuse the profanity, but it is history, decidedly, indis- 
putable history I am writing.) I will have every one of 
you hung, the moment I arrive in port. Not one of you 
shall escape the gallows, if you do, may I be damned !' 

The man to whom he directed his threatenings was 
the same, who so coolly put a stop to the descending 
rope's end, a few moments before the brig's capture, and 
now showed that his prison tour had not in the least 
lessened his firm, decided, and unexceptionable bearing, 
by his coolly looking this fire-ball in the face, till he had 
expended a part of his wrath, wdien he as deliberately 
replied to him, as though in continuation of an argument, 
by saying— 

'If your escape from damnation depends -upon our 
being hung, you are like to have a hotter berth of it 
hereafter, than your mad ravings afford you here.' 

'You, in particular,' says Scotchy, 'I will mark, and 
have you first strung up ; for, by your mutinous look, I 
believe you are at the head of this mischief.' 

'Your vessel is in better hands, than it was a few 
moments ago; and if you will take advice from one who 
knows the disposition of those on board better than you 
can, you will accommodate yourself to the circumstances 
that have taken place in this ship, and not endanger your 
person by farther raising their hate. Had you not used 
deception in your first dealings with the men, and trea- 
chery in your after conduct, you might have taken your 
vessel to a convenient port, but now you must submit to 
be carried wherever we think proper.' 

This was delivered with such a decided tone, in the 
presence of the hundreds on deck, who were so silent as 
to hear every sentence, that the man of wrath replied not, 
but made his exit into the cabin, carrying with him his 
knife and fork, with its appendage, (piece of pudding,) 
which had thus gained a short respite, from the yawning 
gulf intended for its sepulchre. 

I was still standing over the sky-light feeling as little 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 291 

satisfied at the course events had taken, (by the invitation 
to dinner not being fulfilled,) as I did anxiety to know the 
last end of the angular piece of pudding, which was like 
to become a matter of history, by having proved itself 
of a consistency but little less tough than the upright 
fixture at the helm, and adhering to the fork through 
bufferings both singular and direful, when the Scotchman 
took his seat at the table, that he had so suddenly left, 
gave the piece in question two or three extra slides around 
the plate, to gather another coating in the place of the 
one, which had dropped off during its flourish around the 
head -piece of the helmsman and after capers about the 
quarter-deck — with this single difference ; in the first, he 
slid the mouthful leisurely around with the sun, whereas 
now it was pushed furiously against it — and it vanished ! 
The cross-grained disposition of the owner, never allow- 
ing him to agree twice to the same thing, even should 
it emanate from himself, was the sole cause of this slight 
difference in the contrary movement while sopping up the 
gravy. 

A facetious fellow, who stood close by the open sky- 
light, purposely directing his conversation, so the Scotch- 
man should hear all, sang out — 

'Bill Halloday, aint i a lucky dog not to be in the skip- 
pers steering track, for he would have rode me down like 
a sack.' 

'Why, if you go by length, you ought to hold your own 
as he did ; for you see he carries the same back that he 
took from the cabin with him — his piece of dufF.' 

'It's the likes of him, to get all he can, and hold all he 
gets ; yet, he got hold of Jim at the tiller, but let him 
go again, without Jim's saving he had enough.' 

'That's it, Seth ; he grappled with one of those consis- 
tency gents, who takes a stand, and can't be diverted from 
it, however good the grip of his opponent.' 

'His grip may be good, but he gripped a stubborn snag, 
when he meddled with Hop-'o-me-thumb, at the tiller, 



292 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

a chance more stiffish, than one of those fixtures labelled 
pillars of the church, who hav'nt a joint from neck to 
heel, except when tipping the contribution box to one's 
notice.' 

'Yes, however small, he proved a mouthful too large 
for Scotchy.' 

'Why didn't he take a slice, as he had his knife and 
fork in hand ; then he'd had meat with his pudding.' 

'Oh, the Scotchman wants no more meat of Jim's 
toughness, and will say, he'd sooner have the whole of a 
seven-pound pudding sticking in his throat, than that the 
others should have seen him tugging at Jim, without Jim's 
knowing it.' 

'It's my belief, his wrath will blow up the ship.' 

'Not till he gets the good of his dinner; and then, most 
likely, he'll cool off and say, it's all a joke.' 

'Joke me into a warped gravestone, mumbling cold 
marble for tobacco, with gravity enough to sour a lady's 
laugh into barbed fish-hooks, but we're losing time while 
others are getting sail on.' 

•Yes ; and to keep you company, just fancy me a 
bleer-eyed toad, squatted upon your head, taking the sun 
through my fingers, bidding you hold still, else the sun 
will dodge ahead and make it dinner hour before grog 
is served out, or we get the light sails on the old barkey ; 
so heave along — let's lend a hand while the breeze lasts — 
go it! ye whistlers, for a ten-knot breeze,' and the shrill 
blast he sent forth was only equalled by the display he 
made of flapping his feet with his hands, or the anxiety 
the former exhibited in meeting the latter more than half- 
way, in their flap-about, flail-like swingings, ending with a 
double shuffle, in which the head, neck, and every ver- 
tebra of the spine, came in for each its share, the whole 
continued till the yards were filled and the reef shook out 
of the foretopsail. 

Application was made to the first mate for the keys, to 
obtain the studdensails from below. He intimated he 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 293 

could not deliver them, but good-humouredly pointed 
where they might be found. In twenty minutes from the 
time the vessel was put before the wind, her masts were 
covered with canvass, she throwing up the spray from 
her bows, and heading homeward with a ten-knot breeze. 
From the first to the last, there was not a shout, hurrah, 
nor scarcely a loud word spoken, other than in joke, or 
what was required in issuing the necessary orders for the 
management of the ship. The vessel's own crew were 
well satisfied at having their duty performed by others ; 
they now could lounge the decks with their meershams 
through the day, and take their nights' rest below, instead 
of standing watch as heretofore. The nominal captain, 
likewise, appeared more pleased at the vexation of his 
employer, than angered at having others attend to the 
duties of the ship, while his pay was still going on. 

The owner's 'adviser' was urgent to retake the vessel 
from the 'mutinous rascals,' and place her under the 
guidance of her legitimate crew, even at the risk of 
bloodshed ; and was otherwise extremely officious in de- 
nouncing the foregoing proceedings as 'mutinous, pirati- 
cal,' &.c. till he received an official notice, that his person 
was safe as long as it was confined to the cabin limits, but 
if it appeared on deck, it should have the benefit of a 
sea-bath, by a three-hours towing at the ship's stern. 
Thinking his carcass, when pickled, might be no more 
acceptable to the dainty maw of a shark, than while fresh 
it was agreeable to the passengers on board, he never 
showed himself on deck afterwards, nor did we hear any 
more of his 'advice' during the passage. This man had 
been a prisoner like ourselves, and was appointed, for his 
knowledge of accounts, to keep an entry of the provi- 
sions dealt out to the men, during their passage across the 
Atlantic ; the olfice lifting him far out of sight of what he 
had been a week previous to the ship sailing. 

The day after the vessel had changed hands, a brig 
was spoken, which gave the ship's place for the day pre* 
2o v v.vj 



294 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

vious. varying but little from what was made out by the 
one who overlooked the Scotchman's reckoning, and con- 
firming those in charge of the vessel, in the correctness of 
their starting point, when they boldly kept on their course, 
with a full confidence in their abilities of crossing the 
Atlantic, notwithstanding they were deprived of every 
instrument requisite for the voyage, except the com- 
pass in the binnacle, and the owner would have taken 
that below, had there not always been enough on the 
quarter-deck to pievent its being meddled with. The 
glasses and every thing else which could assist those in 
command in guiding the ship to her destination, were 
taken into the cabin and secured. Each day the Scotch- 
man took the sun, but in a way none could overlook 
him. In no instance was a question asked him on any 
subject, and to my knowledge not a word was exchanged 
between the owner and the passengers ever after, except 
on one particular occasion, during a heavy gale. 

I found the small articles I had saved up while in pri- 
son, of incalculable benefit to me ; although we had a suf- 
ficiency of meat and bread, yet we had no small stores 
given to us, nor any thing warm in the morning. I could 
now boil my tin pot of water, take my dish of tea, with 
a hard biscuit and a cold relish, from the remains of 
yesterday's meat, and make a breakfast fit for a nabob, 
which proved far more nourishing and palatable, than 
otherwise it would, but for my provident care in saving 
such odds and ends, as I was enabled to spare from my 
scanty earnings while in prison. 

The man who hailed from Charleston, was the only one 
among the passengers, that did not stand his watch volun- 
tarily. He refused coming into the measures adopted, 
of taking the vessel into the port most convenient to a 
majority on board, and was not asked to take his turn 
of doing duty. This the others cared nothing for, had 
he not continually kept up his taunting insolence at those, 
who had to turn out of their comfortable hammocks, and 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STAVES. 295 

go on deck to face the weather, while he could enjoy his 
night's rest unmolested. This annoyance he persisted 
in, notwithstanding his hammock strings were frequently 
found too brittle to hold his goodly person, as often break- 
ing at the head as elsewhere. Not unfrequently in his 
pleasantest dreams, did he feel a slip-noose around his 
ankles, and find himself making the passage of the hatch- 
way ladder, feet foremost, with no variation, only as he 
happened to be back or face downwards, to grate over 
the sharp steps of the ladder ; a way of being helped 
up of extreme roughness, whether asleep or awake. But 
this cured him not, and served only to add anger to his 
insolence. 

One day, after he had been indulging in his jeering and 
vituperation for some time, he was politely requested to 
step on deck, as there was a species of duty to be per- 
formed, belonging to none who had stood their regular 
watch. When he appeared, for he saw it was useless 
contending against such odds, as were arrayed against 
him, he found a slip-noose to a rope leading from the 
head of the top-gallantmast, prepared for him by the 
other members of his mess, and was asked whether he 
would ascend feet foremost, as he had often done up the 
hatchway, or standing, as he was. He modestly insin- 
uated, that, so far from claiming distinction of being ele- 
vated above his messmates, he had rather still keep his 
lowly berth below, and looked as though he would any 
other should go up but himself, while he was casting about 
to see if any would offer as a substitute. But none coming 
forward to take his place, and being fond of variety, he 
chose to ascend head foremost ; when the rope was made 
fast under his arms, and for the next half hour, he was 
dangling in the air, swinging to and fro, by the rolling of 
the vessel — now thrashing against the mast, then twirling 
like a plumb-bob, by the grazing his shoulder against the 
back-stay, in one of his passages through the air, till the 
rope was twisted to a kink ; when, to undo what was 



296 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATRS. 

already over-done, the rope would set about disentangling 
itself, both from twists and kinks, till one might be led 
to suppose, it was keeping up its whirlings and twirlings, 
merely for the amusement of the crowd below ; or, that 
the lynched might have sung with propriety, 

'I turn about, I twist about, 

Slambang, just so, 
To ease you of your laugh and shout, 

Down there below.' 

The Carolinian was content to take his ease ever after, 
without reminding his messmates of their hard tasks of 
going on deck, to attend to the duties of the ship, in com- 
parison, to his swinging in his hammock ten hours upon 
a stretch. 

During a forenoon's calm, many enjoyed a swim by the 
side of the vessel, and were gamboling about in the water, 
to the number of fifty or sixty, some stretching to the 
distance of thirty rods or more, when a shark's fin was 
seen about twenty paces off, at the other side of the ves- 
sel, lazily moving through the water, and slowly sidling 
towards the ship. It was the intention of those on deck, 
to have called in the bathers without frightening them, 
or letting them know one was within sight ; but some 
officious meddler sung out at the top of his voice, 'shark ! 
shark ! look out for the shark !' This was caught up by 
others on deck, and from them sent to the swimmers, 
when over the face of the waters was 'shark! shark!' 
issued, as well by the bathers as those in the ship, till 
the air and the waters were filled, with 'shark ! shark ! 
look out for the shark,' accompanied with 'rope, a rope ! 
throw us a rope!' 'lower the stern boat, for God's sake 
lower the boat,' till it was difficult to say which was the 
leading melody or which the accompaniment, the shout- 
ing of the men, or the splashings of the waters. In the 
mean while, some few of those bathing, made for the 
ship, but the greater proportion kicked and thrashed 
about, like a whale in his flury — cared not or knew not 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 297 

which way they were going, so they did not go down 
the shark's gullet, and were making as little progress 
towards getting on board, as they showed indications of 
surveying the coast of Spitzbergen. 

At last, they all gained the deck except two, who had 
been farthest from the vessel, and had become so weak- 
ened by fright and their hard swim, as to be unable to 
hold on to the ropes thrown them, or to the chains at the 
side, by the alternate rolling of the ship. As often as 
they caught hold, they were raised out of the water, till 
their weight was greater than their strength, when down 
they would go some feet under water, and have to gain 
the surface and try again, with again the like success. 
This they continued till becoming too weak to s^wim 
longer, when they must inevitably have sunk, had not 
those on deck, succeeded in slipping ropes over their 
bodies, and hoisting them in, more dead than alive. The 
shark, now the commotion had ceased, made his appear- 
ance on the side of the vessel where so lately the bathers 
had been, and looked much like others look when coming 
too late for dinner. 

About ten days after the ship had changed masters, she 
was moving along under easy sail, with a gentle breeze, 
but with a heavy swell setting from a contrary direction to 
the wind, when she carried away her foretopmast, bring- 
ing down with it the maintop-gallantmast, and yards and 
rigging belonging to the two. This occurred just as the 
men were getting their dinner on deck ; yet none were 
hurt, although the deck was covered with rigging, blocks, 
spars, and the broken topmasts. Under the direction of 
the brig's carpenter, (noticed in the fourth chapter of 
vol. 1,) who showed a handiness at any thing, with a wil- 
lingness, if possible, beyond his skill, the repairs were 
quickly under way ; and at four o'clock, she was again 
stemming along with nothing to show of the disaster she 
so lately met with. Every man voluntarily left his meal, 
to aid in refitting the broken spars, except those belonging 
to the ship, not one of whom touched a rope. 



298 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

It was not yet determined, whether the ship should be 
run into New York or Boston, it depending much upon the 
weather, which port could be most easily made. Should 
we enter the former, I like many others, would be landed 
among strangers, without the means of securing the first 
night's lodsrinjr. To avoid the disagreeable necessity of 
being at large in a crowded city without shelter, I added 
straps to my clothes bag, made it into a convenient knap- 
sack, and intended, the moment I touched the shore, to 
take up the line of march, in company with the Fifer, for 
our homes in Massachusetts, trusting to chance for support 
while on the road. The lighter articles of my clothing, I 
should have taken with me, while such as I could do 
withaut, I meant to give to those who were less fortunate 
than myself, in having a supply, or less fastidious with 
regard to what the seams contained besides stitches. 

The ship had been under the command of the passen- 
gers, nineteen days, without speaking a vessel, or any 
knowing where they were, except by the dead reckoning 
that was kept; for the owner had secured all the quad- 
rants belonging to the officers under his authority, and 
used his own with the precaution, that none should again 
surreptitiously get at his observations. Thus, those in 
command were left without any certainty of their track or 
place, except by soundings, to which we had come on 
the Banks, some two or three days previous, together 
with other indications only known to the experienced in 
navigation : but the conclusion was, that the land would 
be made the next day, or the one following at farthest. 
What were the Scotchman's views in keeping those who 
held command of his vessel, in ignorance, how far they 
had run, and whether oil" or on the right course, none 
knew, but all supposed he wished them to become be- 
wildered, when they would give up to him, to guide the 
vessel aright, which would have been to his favourite 
southern port, if within an hour's sail of the one the 
passengers wished to enter, so bitter was he in being 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 299 

thwarted by so 'hang-dog a set of ragged cut throats,' as 
he was often heard muttering to himself. 

At twelve o'clock, the breeze freshened to a close- 
reefed topsail blow, and was followed, at six in the after- 
noon, by a gale of a severity, but few on board had 
ever witnessed. It increased with such furious rapidity, 
as to make it almost impossible to lessen sail, send the 
yards on deck, and house the top-gallantmasts, even 
with the united force of all hands. Without a rag of 
canvas set, the ship was driving furiously before the 
wind, which was favourable for her course, at the rate of 
ten miles per hour, causing no little fear, that she might 
strike before morning, should she be further on her pas- 
sage, than the uncertain reckoning of her present com- 
manders made her; or should the gale continue any length 
of time, the land inevitably must sooner or later bring her 
up, for none supposed she had strength to keep off a-lee 
shore, with even much less wind than was now whistling 
through her masts and rigging. Under these circum- 
stances, it w T as thought best to lay her to, however haz- 
ardous the experiment, of bringing her up, in the trough 
of the sea, with such a gale as was blowing. It was de- 
cided upon, and she headed up with no other disaster 
than shipping a sea, which carried away every thing from 
the forecastle. 

Often, in conversation, I have heard seamen observe, 
that they had been at sea, when the wind blew with such 
force as to prevent them breathing, when facing it. Here 
I had an opportunity of clearing up my doubts ; for, with 
the mouth open, I found it impossible to breathe ; nor 
with it closed, only with the greatest difficulty. I am 
confident, if a man had been confined, with his face to 
windward, he would have lived but a very few minutes. 

The ship made such bad weather on the tack she was 
thrown, serious fears were entertained that each blast of 
the gale would capsize her ; besides the sea, now risen 
to mountains in height, was constantly breaking over her 



300 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

decks with an appalling fury and violence. . So critical 
had the situation of the vessel become, that the Scotch- 
man was alarmed, came on deck, and condescended to 
open his mouth for the first time, since he had been de- 
prived of the command of his ship, by saying, she never 
could live on the tack she was then lying, but would, no 
doubt, ride out the gale, on the other, with safety, if she 
could again be put before the wind, and afterwards laid 
to, with her larboard side to w T indward. I had less ex- 
perience in these movements, than I possessed curiosity 
to watch what was passing around me, and I soon learned 
enough, from the expostulations of some, and the coun- 
tenances of others, that the experiment was perilous in 
the extreme, with so ricketty a sea-boat as the one we 
were in, had proved herself. 

It was decided that all should be sent below, except 
barely a sufficient number to work the ship — not more 
than ten or twelve, besides those who had the command, 
and these from the best on board. The Scotchman now 
freely volunteered to assist. Stripped to his shirt and 
trousers, with countenance as pale and ghastly as though 
his doom was already fixed to a certainty, he called his 
favourite first mate to the tiller, and, regardless of the 
spray that was flying far over the ship, went to work 
with a good will, as though he was anxious to divest him- 
self of the contrariness, with which he had been inflated 
for the last three weeks, and gain favour in the eyes of 
those with whom he had been angered. Under the lee 
of the long-boat were a number at their prayers, who 
could not be prevailed on to go below, till they were laid 
hold of by force, and thrust through the hatchway. 
Among those at their devotions, I recognized some of the 
most vile and wicked in the ship, whose piety lasted as 
Ions as did the sale. 

I was determined to remain on deck, for, if I must 
go, I wished to know and see the moment when ; and 
skulked about for some time, to avoid being seen in the 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 301 

dusk, which the murkiness of the storm, more than the 
hour of twilight, had brought on ; but I was compelled 
to follow the others, and submit to have the hatches bat- 
tened down upon us. The deck below was pitchy dark, 
with nearly three hundred souls thereon, some in their 
hammocks, whilst others were upon their knees, crying 
and praying for relief and mercy from the pending de- 
struction now threatening them on every side. Just as I 
went down, the ten-gallon keg, containing the two days' 
water for the mess, broke loose from its lashings, and 
flew from side to side of the vessel, with fearful rapi- 
dity, as she rolled with the violence of the sea. Not 
wishing to be deprived of fresh water for the two follow- 
ing days, should we weather the gale, I set about se- 
curing it, and called to some of the other members of 
the mess for their assistance ; but none would lend their 
aid, one saying all will have too much water before fresh 
can again be served out; another wondered at my think- 
ing of the keg, when probably the next minute would 
be the last that any on board should breathe ; a third 
commiserated me at my ill success, in not making it fast, 
and hoped I should have better luck next time. After 
getting the lashing, I sat with my back to a stanchion, 
amidships, in the track of the keg across the decks, 
and kept shifting from side to side as I heard it coming 
towards me, still keeping the upright post between me 
and the keg, to break the force of its fall, till it struck 
the stanchion, when I laid hold and secured it. Had 
it gone against one of those who were on deck, fresh 

DO ■ 

water nor his prayers would have done him farther 
good, for it must have knocked the breath out of him, 
as quick as a shot would have done it from the moutli 
of a cannon. 

I had just secured the keg, and thrown myself into my 

hammock, when the vessel was put about. A sea struck 

her full in the broadside, swept her deck, and nearly 

knocked her over. As she partly righted, and settled 

26 v.2 



302 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES, 

into the trough of the receding waves, with the water 
gurgling and fizzing through the seams and cracks of the 
yielding planks, none thought but she was sinking. The 
shriek that arose from the three hundred between these 
decks, is beyond the power of man to describe, and too 
terrific for memory to retain. Her next rising and plung- 
ing forwards, with a buoyancy beyond what she had shown 
on the other tack, relieved the minds of those confined 
below — that the critical moment had passed, that the 
necessary manoeuvre for her safety was accomplished, 
and that she was riding upon the upheaving billows with 
her best broadside to windward. 

I lay running over in my mind many circumstances 
of the past, with coolness rather than indifference to my 
fate or what must follow- — >not that I had more courage 
than those around me, who were bewailing their end in 
audible moans for help; for I have sometime said, to self 
only, that I have less of what makes a man a hero or a 
highwayman, than I wish the world to know ; and some 
few circumstances have occurred, of too private a nature 
to be divulged to the reader, as much as I respect him, to 
turn my former doubtings into the certainty, that the first 
person singular of this narrative, where no advantage is to 
be gained, would rather shun than court danger, if posi- 
tive no eyes are on him ; still he may be mistaken — pro- 
mising whenever he is thoroughly convinced of the con- 
trary, the public shall know it. 

As I was saying, my coolness did not arise from any 
superiority of courage I possessed over my comrades, but 
that I had been long enough associating with those of 
superstitious fears, who look to signs, and omens, and 
dreams, to carry them to the haven of safety, or wreck 
them upon the quicksands of fate, for me to imbibe some 
little of their propensities ; and the confident feeling with 
which I was inspired upon the height a little way from 
Dartmoor, by the bright sun coming into its wonted track, 
was not yet extinct. I did not feel that all was to end 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 303 

here — that all my buoyant hopes, thus long fostered, were 
to be crushed at a moment. 

My indifference was sufficient for me to collect my 
ideas, and get them into a regular train of reasoning for 
a brief spell, but they were soon wandering hither and 
thither, (for who can direct his thoughts if set with ever 
so good a determination, without their involuntarily flying 
off to other objects not originally intended?) in strange 
fantasies, as foreign to my first intentions as light is from 
darkness ; and they might have gone off into regions un- 
known, had they not been brought up by the starboard 
watch being called at eight o'clock next morning, when I 
found I had fallen asleep amid the roar of the elements, 
and had not awakened again till the duty of the watch 
called me to the deck. 

The force of the gale had been spent by twelve o'clock, 
and the ship lying at comparative ease, it was thought best 
by those in command, not to call the watch to make sail, 
till daylight should give them an opportunity of seeing 
about them. But at daylight they were as much be- 
wildered by the fog, as they were lost during the night 
by the darkness, for one could not discern an object the 
length of the vessel. This, together with the uncertainty 
of knowing where they were, prompted them to lay -to, till 
the fosr became less dense, allowing: them to run without 
the shore bringing them up too unexpectedly. 

At ten o'clock, the fog cleared away sufficiently for us 
to descry a schooner to the leeward, that we soon after 
spoke, by bearing down towards her. She informed us 
that she had left Marblehead but three days previous, 
had suffered in the gale of the last night, and that Cape 
Ann bore so and so, about one hundred and thirty miles 
distant. The only question put to the schooner after this, 
was, whether they wanted assistance ? 'None — we can 
manage by ourselves,' had scarcely ceased vibrating over 
the water, before we were filling away, and crowding on 
every stitch of canvas which could be spread to catch 



304 SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 

the wind, now favourable for our course, with a certainty, 
should it thus continue during the day and following 
night, of the ship going into the harbour of Boston. 

A consultation was held by those who had the com- 
mand, and who had so far guided the ship in safety, 
maugre the owner's rigid contrariness, to compare their 
reckoning with the information just received from the 
schooner, and if possible to discover where the differ- 
ence existed, or when the error occurred, that they 
should be thus far ahead with their reckoning, from 
where the schooner said they were. The quarter-deck 
was covered with chalk charts, and the track of the 
ship minutely traced from the time she had been under 
their command, but none could discover when the error 
was made, although much controversial disquisition en- 
sued to enable one party to fasten the blame upon the 
other, who in turn, threw it back from whence it came, 
with the additional weight of an angry frown, to give it 
a settling point. However, the error existed much to 
their chagrin, and they resolved to rely upon the infor- 
mation derived from the schooner, and proceed accord- 
ingly to gain the port of Boston with the least possible 
delay, while the breeze was favourable. 

Our veteran commanders showed a stormy aspect, that 
they should thus miss their reckoning. One began strongly 
to ape the owner in his sourness, when some wag had 
the hardihood, after well calculating his distance, to tell 
him he must have taken a pull at the Scotchman's ginger 
temper, else he would not look so glum. 'The Scotch- 
man, pshaw!' replied the one spoken to, with determined 
scorn, 'had he met with a mishap of this kind, his con- 
trariness would be excusable.' Another, whose grey hairs 
were never more to see the sunny side of three score 
years, declared he would not venture to scull a boat out 
of a dock, unless it had a tow line made fast to the wharf, 
so that he might warp back when getting bewildered. 
He came to the conclusion, he would bind himself to the 
first master that offered to again learn navigation, if he 



SAILING FOR THE UNITED STATES. 305 

never ran farther than from Lynn Beach to Cape Ann, 
with a ilat bottomed punt, freighted with clams. 

Our spirits were highly exhilarated at the promise of 
getting in on the morrow — the crew to see their friends, 
and the Scotchman to see the hanging, to which we were 
all doomed without a pardoning clause. Most of the day 
was spent by the men, in rummaging through their ward- 
robes, before they could fully satisfy themselves, what was 
the most becoming dress in which to make their appear- 
ance on shore, partly by the fastidiousness of their taste by 
foreign travel, but mostly from the fashions having changed 
since the majority of them were last there. However, 
all had not either of these to weigh upon their thoughts, 
for a change of what they stood in, was not among their 
most distant imasrininsrs. 

The Fifer, by his heedlessness, had become almost 
naked, but was more proud and lofty in his rags, than 
at the commencement of his cruise, eight months pre- 
vious ; 'for,' said he, T left home like a fool, without 
sense enough to know its value ; but now I return with 
the conviction that there are worse places.' Others were 
on board, who could have cordially subscribed to the 
Fifer's sentiments, had they his open-hearted honesty to 
avow it. 

That he should not go ashore unbefitting the company 
he kept, another and myself sat upon the deck, and made 
from the striped ticking of his hammock bed, a pair of 
trousers with a tolerable fit, considering the material, 
tools, and our former experience at tailoring. Our shears 
was a jacknife, our needle of the three cornered kind, and 
we were indebted to the ravelling* from an old piece of 
Canvas for the thread, dipped in the tar bucket for the 
want of wax, to lay the rufiled fibres of its slack twist: — 
the buttons were but few, yet their scantiness was amply 
compensated by the variety of size, colour, and manu- 
facture — being twist, mettle, bone, leather, and when 
these failed, a knotted rope yarn was substituted. 
2G* v.2 



306 



CHAP. XVI. 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 



When the watch was called, at eight o'clock, on the 
thirteenth of August, I went on deck, and was standing 
aft, listlessly gazing about, but could scarcely see the 
ship's length, on account of the fog which prevailed. 
Soon after, as it began to lift at intervals, I was certain 
I saw a dark object ahead, and called the attention of the 
officer to it, who had the deck at the time, saying if it 
was a vessel we should shortly be aboard of her. He 
gazed attentively for some moments, without replying 
to my remarks, but could make out nothing through the 
dense fog ; when suddenly it raised from the water, and 
'land !' was shouted by the one in command — 'land !' 
was sung out by those on deck — 'land 0!' was hailed by 
those aloft — 'land O!' was answered by the many on the 
berth deck, and 'land 0!' was reverberating throughout 
the ship, with all the force that ecstatic joy could bring 
to the aid of the glad hearts that were bellowing it forth. 

When the fog had cleared up, after the ship was put 
about, it was seen that we had been heading directly on 
to the beach off Cape Cod, with all sail set, by the false 
information received from the schooner the day previous, 
who, in all likelihoods, had drifted further from her track, 
than she was aware, during the buffetings of the gale 
throughout the night. 

Now, those in command discovered that they were cor- 
rect in their working, and would have gained the port 
without difficulty, only for the false information obtained 
from the schooner ; thus firmly establishing themselves 
in the opinion of the numerous crew, the best naviga- 
tors upon the globe; one of whom declared, that Captain 
Heminway could take the ship to the White Mountains, 
gather a freight of cool air, and return in a given time with 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 307 

his eyes shut, as easy as he could twist an inch of pigtail 
from his tobacco box. The declaration of the speaker 
did not endanger his veracity, for the box was minus the 
pigtail, which he was vainly endeavouring to discover in 
some corner not before explored. Even the Scotchman's 
respects were raised in behalf of these veterans, whose 
knowledge in navigation was far beyond his expectations. 
At first he vouchsafed a congratulating smile, at their 
acknowledged abilities, but his parsimonious features, 
refused co-operating with the first inklings of his heart. 
The puckered lips and contracted nostrils first showed a 
stubborn determination to hold back, then the eyes snap- 
ed their dislike at all such unnatural intentions of giving 
way, followed by the uncovered teeth grinning a chatter- 
ing menace at this only symptom of weakness, when all 
was shrouded under the grim sourness of his nature. 

To gain an offing, we stretched out till twelve o'clock, 
when the ship was becalmed. Now and then a coyish 
breeze would tantalize us with the prospect of reaching 
the port of our destination before sunset; when again it 
would die away, leaving us floating about with the cur- 
rent, *ke the inanimate sea-weed upon its surface, which- 
soever way it was setting, making every hour to our fever- 
ish anxieties, appear longer than days had before coming 
in sight of land. By the greatest exertions, in improving 
every puff of wind, we managed to get within a few miles 
of the light-house, by twelve at night, when, with the tide 
setting against us, we were reluctantly forced to anchor, 
and remain till it should change, or the wind prove more 
favourable. 

A good portion of the day was spent in busily scrub- 
ing, cleansing, and fumigating the ship, so that there 
should be no cause for her detention at the quarantine 
ground. When the doctor came on board, I thought he 
displayed more shyness to come in contact with the tat- 
terdemalion crew, than he felt desirous of thoroughly ex- 
amining between decks, and exhibited as much haste in 



30S ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 

signing a clean bill of health, as we displayed anxiety at 
the fear of being delayed. 

At sunrise a pilot came on board, as did Blake of ship- 
news notoriety. In the same building with the latter, I 
had been a fellow apprentice; yet such was my diffidence, 
I let him pass off without an inquiry as to the welfare of 
my friends, he recognizing in the rough exteriors about 
the ship's deck, none whom he expected to see. May- 
hap, he that once was so forward in showing his propensi- 
ties for a nautical life, had not now the same inclination 
for displaying his tarry jacket, or the eagerness for others 
to know he was afloat, that was manifested eight months 
previous, when he knew not the degradations he was des- 
tined to go through, before his eyes, like the Fifer's, were 
opened by a sad, dear-bought adversity. 

The owner, with the captain, first mate, and the 'advi- 
ser,' early left the ship, w r ith the necessary documents, 
affidavits, etc., to enter his complaint to the proper autho- 
rities, and have us forthwith secured by the revenue cut- 
ter, while at our anchorage. This caused us as little un- 
easiness, as though the boat had departed for the purpose 
of bringing at its return, fresh provisions for the*cabin 
table. 

The pilot informed us, there were then lying in the har- 
bour, five cartels whose passengers had changed their 
original destinations, and had brought the vessels where 
the majority desired. I have since seen published, that 
out of the whole number of cartels (nineteen in all) char- 
tered to convey the liberated prisoners to their homes, 
after peace was declared, only three reached the place to 
which they were bound, till after landing the men at a 
port they had previously entered. In some few instances, 
those in management of the cartels consented and wil- 
lingly landed the passengers where the majority desired: 
but far the greater portion were taken possession of, as 
was ours, by the men, without the consent of their com- 
manders. Whether any had Scotch owners to deal with, 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 309 

I have never learned, but some met with a sturdy opposi- 
tion to their wishes, I know, whose owners carried their 
contrariness farther, if not with the same vituperation, 
than did ours. At the time we arrived, there was one 
then lying in the stream, whose captain, a Spaniard, reso- 
lutely refused to go on board, or take charge of his vessel, 
till reparation was made, and he had already persevered 
with his stubbornness three weeks, with a prospect of 
holding: out still longer. 

The reason that so many of the cartels were chartered 
in England, to go south, was this: so much per head 
was allowed by our government, to transport the prisoners 
to their homes, and as many vessels were sailing from 
Great Britain in ballast to southern ports, for return car- 
goes of cotton, they more readily took the prisoners at a 
lower price, to such places as their interests led them, than 
they would have taken them to a northern port, where 
freight was not to be had. For this was it, probably, that 
we were kept in prison months after the peace, such ves- 
sels not offering every day. Who were the gainers by 
these saving operations ? 

ft has since been ascertained, that when the Scotch- 
man applied to the marshal of the district, and made his 
case known, with his wishes and demands, he was told 
'it was an unforeseen accident,' and one over which the 
marshal had no control; and, beyond being paid for the 
damage sustained, by the carrying away of the vessel's 
topmast and spars, (as related in the last chapter,) the 
owner could get no redress. 

Of the two hundred and eighty, who were returning 
to their country and their homes, not one in ten had the 
immediate assistance his necessities required, as soon as 
landed, either in a pecuniary way, or through the agency 
of relations on whom he had claims ; and yet all were 
alike impatient to get on shore, trusting to chance for help, 
with no definite idea from whence it was to come. Some, 
who had been impressed into the British service, and had 



310 ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 

not seen the port they were about entering for the half 
portion of the natural life of man, were speculating upon 
returning to their old haunts, or sailor boarding-houses, 
and congratulating themselves upon the reception they 
should meet, feeling confident their former landlords 
would receive them, provide for their wants, and wait to 
be reimbursed from the month's advance, after entering: 
for a voyage, when finding a vessel to their liking, with- 
out a supposition that time, in all probability, had swept 
off those favourite landlords, or had entirely obliterated 
the weather-changed seamen themselves from their know- 
ledge. 

Others, who had not seen or heard of their parents or 
relations since their boyhood, expected to find them as 
they were left; when, more probably, after a month's 
search, some of necessity would be obliged to depart 
again to sea, without receiving; the least information of 
those their hearts had long cherished the thoughts of 
meeting, the hope of which had lessened their toils, eased 
their difficulties, and made light their burdens ; or per- 
haps, they could not know whether their friends were 
living or dead. This is no fancy sketching, merely to 
round a paragraph, but one of sad and gloomy reality ; for 
who could leave a numerous family, return at the end of 
a quarter of a century, and find scarcely a portion alive, 
or residents at their former domicils. 

In New York a soup-house was established for such 
as came from the different cartels in destitute situations, 
where they were provided for till finding employment, 
greatly to the relief of many, who otherwise would, to 
a certainty, have been in a deplorable condition. The 
United States' marshal at Boston, was authorized by the 
government to give to each prisoner returned in the 
cartels, one dollar, if called for in person. But this was 
known but to few, till they had been some time on shore, 
and their first and more urgent wants were relieved from 
other sources. 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 31! 

The majority, or, more likely, nine-tenths of those on 
board of our cartel, were seafaring men, who knew no 
other calling, and were per force compelled to go to sea 
again, notwithstanding many of them disliked the calling. 
Of the green hands, or those who were on their first 
trial of a sea life, few intended to risk themselves at a 
business, that had so sadly disappointed them in their 
expectations, and in which they had been so roughly 
handled, by the circumstances that had transpired. Per- 
haps I cannot better acquaint the reader with the deter- 
mination of some of those whom he has thus far fol- 
lowed in the Cruise, than to place him where I was 
standing; a little outside the circle of a dozen or more, 
who were lounging on deck, anxiously waiting for a 
breeze with the change of tide, to carry the ship to the 
port of which they were within sight. The conversation 
which first attracted my attention, was principally confined 
to the all-engrossing subject — shall we run in to-night? 
when an old stager began bantering one in his front 
about the probability of his trying the sea again, after 
the bufferings he had endured. Before an answer was 
elicited, the Fifer, a never-failing subject for ridicule, 
and more particularly so now, from the singularity of his 
dress, came within the gaze of the speaker, diverting the 
raillery from the one, and drew it upon himself. 

'Well, Fife, since your rig and cut are so like a sailor, 
I suppose you never mean to mess again on land ; — have 
you christened your suit \vj$h an oath, 'to stay ashore no 
more ?' ' 

When I take an oath, it is for some purpose,' returned 
the Fifer, evidently displeased with the freedom taken 
with his new suit, just donned. 

You must be either proud of your new dress, or eager 
to drop old acquaintances, by showing sulkiness when no 
offence is meant.' 

'Oh,' said another, 'he begins to snuff the land breeze, 
which he hates as he did the sea breeze, when he first 
displayed his long-togs on board the brig before sailing.' 



312 ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 

'I feel as proud in this dress, by knowing I am going to 
the shore, as I felt mean in my former suit, when finding 
out the dunce I had made of myself by going to sea, and 
sooner than go again, I would wear the undressed hide of 
a jackass the rest of my days, and consent to live on 
thistles alone, with the satisfaction of knowing I had fared 
worse.' 

'Hurrah, for the Fife ! he's a rum one — his cruise has 
done him good — formerly he whined, now he brays.' 

'And Nimble Billy looks all the brighter by seeing land 
ahead — hey, my old cock? — d : ye think your daddy will 
know ye, after your travels and improvements abroad ?' 

'If he does'nt, I shall be sorry, and — 

'Be content to take the head of the trough in his pig- 
sty, till you feed enough to fatten up to high water mark, 
when the old fellow, in driving his porkers to market, will 
see a stray one amongst them, and may-hap will inquire 
where you're from.' 

Billy said nothing; all took it for granted, however, 
he was cogitating upon its probability, having met with 
stranger circumstances since he left his home. The cer- 
tainty of his never going to sea again was made manifest, 
by his being overheard to say, to one in his confidence, 
T will never risk myself where I can't get a chaw-to- 
bacco for love nor money, (money he had none — love for 
the weed in abundance,) and as for getting such heaps of 
prize money, why, it's not what its crack'd up to be.' 

'And the Loafer has lost nothing by his trip, which is 
more than the steward can say of the ship's stores. 
Where do you put up, man? for you and I must take 
different tacks when we look for lodgings.' 

'I see nothing to complain of here ; and if they want 
another hand, I will stay where I am; — if no chance 
offers here, I will try another vessel, for the late fare is not 
so bad after all.' 

'Have you no friends on shore you wish to see ?' said 
one in sober earnestness?' 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 313 

'Yes ; but then I am not so sure they want to see me — 
ye-uk, ye-uk, yuk, ya, ya,' and he sidled out of the ring. 

The coachman was questioned as to his intended future 
occupation ; but he gave no answer that could be con- 
strued into a negative, that he should not again go upon 
the water, so cautious was he of ever uttering a denial. 
His auditory never would have known his intention, only 
that a week afterwards he might be seen at his former 
stand, and at his usual occupation, with nothing in his 
appearance to prove he had been absent a day. 

The steward was well content to make the most of his 
home business, without again seeking foreign service. 

The widow's son (not noticed since at the rendezvous) 
was likewise satisfied to copy the bills for his mother; and 
had so far improved as to collect the amounts for her use, 
when he was lost sight of by the writer. 

Our carpenter too was more than content to stick to his 
former business ; thinking, no doubt, his wild oats were 
pretty well scattered, and it was time for him to 'go sailing 
no more.' 

Our 'nice young man,' of mast-heading notoriety, did 
not stay ashore long enough to renew his wardrobe, but 
was off — whither, no one knew, which strengthened the 
opinion, that certain defalcations had not been cancelled 
by foreign travel. 

But few of our green hands ever went to sea again ; or, 
if they did, they must have wonderfully changed their 
minds subsequently to the writer losing sight of them. 
Yet, probably, had the cruise of the brig been continued, if 
at all fortunate, and they made acquainted with the duties 
on ship-board, so as to go through them with ease and 
alacrity, the greater portion would have continued to fol- 
low the sea from choice. But by being captured thus 
early, before sea-sickness was worn off, and afterwards 
thrown into a loathsome prison, seeing nothing but the 
very roughest side of 'sailor's fare and seaman's duty,' it 
cooled their notions of the romantic, and made them con- 
-27 v.2 



314 ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 

tent to take the world as formerly, however scurvily they 
may have supposed they ever had been treated by their 
fathers, their mothers, their masters, their guardians, or 
their sweethearts. None of these, who have lived to after 
life, and have made the least improvement upon the re- 
flections their prison discipline taught them, but will say, 
'to me every month's absence has been wo?ih years of former 
schoolings;' for from their hardships they could not 
swerve, by plying the tender feelings and willing ears 
of mothers with their troubles, and pleading a dislike to 
their task ; nor by playing truant for a month at a time, 
and afterwards trusting to chance for an excuse to parents 
or guardians. 

A breeze sprang up soon after six in the morning, but 
so directly ahead, that it was thought impracticable get- 
ting up the anchor and trying to gain the inner harbour. 
We remained quietly swinging to our cables till about two 
o'clock, when an attempt was made to beat up through 
the Narrows, and again anchor in President's Roads, till 
the next tide should help us to work in, although it neces- 
sarily must be after nightfall. Whilst beating up, the 
wind so far varied as to enable the ship to lay her course. 

As soon as it was known that we should run in before 
dark, and now no mistake, I unripped my canvas-covered 
suit, which had not seen the light since my 'first week in 
prison,' when I gave it a double covering and hermeti- 
cally sealed it for purposes therein laid down, and I 
stood in the same dress in which I had commenced my 
career of a sea life, without its being in the least soiled. 

It was my wish that the Fifer should remain with me, 
till he could hear from his friends ; but he refused tarrv- 
ing with any, saying, naked as he stood he would see his 
home, should he have to beg his bread while journeying 
thither, if for nothing else than in humility for leaving it 
in a freak of disappointment and anger. He had learned 
to speak of his home, and those composing it, in different 
tones than when first introduced to the reader ; and often 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 315 

said lie had learned more of mankind during the last eight 
months, and studied farther into human nature than during 
the whole of his former life ; and had seen more changes 
from bad to worse, without a jot of good from first to last, 
than he supposed existed previous to his departure. 

Such clothes as he had, the Filer put on while at the 
anchorage. These were clean, free from any living wit- 
nesses of his incarceration and passage home, (the chief 
desideratum in trigging up,) and the only good quality that 
can be told in their praise. The trousers which we had 
prepared (I will not say made) for his 'go-ashores,' for 
lack of material, were short at both ends, the waistbands 
barely reaching the hips, while their legs displayed ankles 
that a wrestler would be proud to own. His cap was the 
leg of a stocking, without ornaments of an}' kind ; the 
shirt of blue and white striped cotton, of as scant a pat- 
tern as were the trousers, if their open collar and wrist- 
bands were any proof, that originally they were intended 
for a much smaller man. 

He had suffered his whiskers to meet at the chin, and 
their luxuriant growth showed their cultivation had been 
attended to. With his tall and erect form, his now 
swarthy countenance, he would easily be mistaken for a 
Greek, the short unbuttoned waistcoat helping out with 
the costume. But here we must stop, if. we wish the 
comparison to remain ; for below was neither Greek, 
Hottentot, nor Indian represented ; not that I wish to 
cast ridicule upon my first essay at tailoring, but am the 
more willing to throw all deficiences upon the material, 
out of which the garment was fashioned; for verily the 
best was made of it. The lusty proportions of the Fifer 
proving larger than was anticipated, were in part the 
cause of the misfit : yet, upon second thought, if any 
disgrace be cast upon the makers, it was deserved, for 
working without a measure. The greatest fear was, that 
the wearer, in a fit of absence, might forget that the 
stitches were of ravellings, (second-hand at that,) and 



316 ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 

in some of his sudden stoopings, put a greater strain 
upon them than they could bear, without a chance of 
remedying the disaster by coat-tail screenings or change 
of raiment, and afterwards lay it to the workmanship. 
However, we feared not the garment being thrown upon 
our hands ; for, as poor an apology as it proved, he had 
neither means nor time to remedy the evil, before the 
ship came to anchor off the end of Long Wharf. 

That we should enter the harbour and come to our 
anchorage in a style commensurate to the profession we 
followed, the yards were manned, fully manned, and 
doubly manned, by every one who could clamber up and 
get a foothold upon them, and who felt anxious to dis- 
play his joy at again reaching the land of his nativity, 
with a hearty huzza, to be returned by the surrounding 
shipping and boats, as well as by the dense crowd upon 
the wharf, till the welkin should ring with joyous notes 
of gladness. 

Just as the ship hauled taught upon her cable, and the 
first round of huzzas was pealing forth, with hats circling 
through the air, a fellow wishing to manifest his joy 
above all others, let go the lift of the mainyard, toppling 
one end high in the air, while the other took a corre- 
sponding dip towards the water, suddenly cutting short 
the enlivenijjg huzza, by those on the yard, finding 
enough employment in securing their holds, without the 
further swinging their hats, bringing the response over 
the water from the shipping, the boats, and the crowd, 
to the half-uttered cheer, in a broad horse-laugh, at the 
awkward imitation and failure of manning the yards in 
man-of-war style. 

The first boat that touched the ship's side was rowed 
by two men, one of whom inquired for some person that 
he named, and was quickly answered by another stand- 
ing in the ship's gangway, with 'yes, and here is his 
luggage ;' throwing at the same time his and his mess- 
mate's bags into the boat, half a dozen others imitating 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 317 

his example, and then all following themselves, till the 
boat was loaded down with men and baarira^e. None, 
however, answering the description of the friend of the 
boatmen, he was not backward in making known his 
displeasure at the unceremonious manner the others had 
taken possession of his boat. 'You asked for your friend,' 
said one, 'we are his suite. He will follow in the next 
boat, provided it be a better looking one than this hog- 
trough punt;' and before the explanation was made out, 
the boat was nearing the wharf under the sturdy hands 
that had seized the oars, when first jumping from the 
vessel's side. 

Notwithstanding the forcible manner the one above had 
been filled, others came up and were as quickly occu- 
pied, sqme in the same unceremonious way, but mostly 
by invitations of their owners, who seemed eager in being 
first to proffer the men a passage to the wharf. So nu- 
merous w T ere the boats that came off, either for curiosity 
or to see their friends, that a conveyance was afforded 
for all from the ship to the wharf, none remaining in the 
vessel fifteen minutes after she cast anchor, of the two 
hundred and eighty that came passengers, except the 
invalids, who were to be sent to the hospital. 

As I did not leave among the first nor the last, I 
was ushered to the steps of the same wharf from which I 
had taken the boat to join the brig eight months pre- 
vious, amidst the throng that was pressing forward in 
every direction, to gain the shore, or to see in the many 
faces of the crowd, if there were any who could be re- 
cognized of either relatives or friends. 

When landing, I reiterated my desire of having the 
Fifer stay with me till he could rig up, or fit himself out 
with a more becoming suit ; but he again thanked me for 
the offer, now as heretofore hoped we should meet in 
better circumstances, and peremptorily declined. 

'No,' said he, 'my appearance shall disgrace no one, 
but those I have claims upon; — as I am, 1 will return to 
27 ' v.-2 



318 ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 

my home ; nor will I change this suit, till I offer myself 
to her, who, together with my own folly, has been the 
cause of all my troubles. If she reject me, I will let her 
see, I now can meet it like a man, as before I should 
have done.' 

When he saw I was resolute in sticking by his side, he 
suddenly stopped, (drawing himself with that peculiar 
manly grace naturally his,) and confronted me, saying in 
tones of decision beyond his wont: 

'If you take the front side of the wharf, I will take the 
back, for alone will I go on my journey.' 

On he. strode, while I gave my bag a swing over my 
shoulder and followed after, with the multitude that were 
moving the same way. For some time the tall form of 
the Fifer could easily be distinguished above the crowd of 
the thronged street, till blended in the distance with 
others, when it was lost to my sight. 

Methinks, I hear the reader ask. 'what w r ere your feel- 
ings and sensations now, compared with those when last 
passing this thoroughfare on your Quixotic cruisings ?' If 
asked in banter, (by that half ironical smile I know not 
your meaning,) I have no reply for you; but if in earnest, 
I will answer it by asking another. 

Did your neighbour never possess a smooth-coated dog 
of the most diminutive kind, who is ever forward in 
showing his pugnacious qualities, by so doing to make up 
for its littleness — darting out with his noisy bow-wow, 
upon every passing one of the canine breed, strutting be- 
fore them, daring a fight — now crossing and recrossing the 
path of the mastiff, without being noticed — taking a step 
backwards, and then prancing up to the rear of this intru- 
der upon his domains, with the threatenings of annihi- 
lation, but whose only danger is, that his overstrained 
bombastic pride, pomposity of demeanor, and pent up 
self-esteem, may explode, bringing destruction to himself 
alone ; when, he is suddenly brought down from this high 
notion of his prowess, by being unexpectedly attacked, 



ARRIVAL AT BOSTON. 319 

worried, rolled, and walloped in the muddy water of the 
kennel — to appear in all the slink and backwardness of his 
nature, taking a kick as he had before his surfeit of meat, 
not because he wants it but cannot refuse ? The contrast 
of your neighbour's poodle is but faint, compared to the 
feelings of the writer at the beginning and end of his 
cruise. 

Notwithstanding the humility this disastrous expedition 
brought upon the author, it gave him a greater insight into 
human nature, than would a tour through the continent of 
Europe, of a dozen years in length ; and these eight 
months roughing hardships sent the boy farther into man- 
hood, than the like number of years would have done in 
the sober routine of still life. But, so far from this humi- 
liation following him through life, the writer hails the time 
of his imprisonment as the proudest period of his exis- 
tence, the greatest epoch upon which his mind can dwell, 
in the not altogether unchequered career he has encoun- 
tered. With indescribable glowing feelings does he look 
back to the time passed in those prisons ; for to the 
sober reflections, which were unavoidably forced upon 
him by the circumstances of his situation, does he owe his 
subsequent prosperity, more than to any information since 
gained. 

It is difficult to say what will or will not be one's future 
leading propensity, yet as the author has but seldom dealt 
in predictions, he hopes therefore he may the more readily 
be pardoned, in venturing to say, that the Scotchman 
will as soon again charter his vessel to transport American 
seamen from the place of their imprisonment, to their 
native country, as the writer will again venture himself 
on ship-board, for the romantic notion of becoming a 
sailor. 



320 
CHAP. XVII. 

CONCLUSION. 

How few of the many that were confined within the 
walls of the prisons at Dartmoor can now be found among 
the living, to what eventful ends must a portion of them 
have come, and how little is known of their careers, 
so precarious is the life of those 'who go down to the deep 
in ships, that do business in great waters.' Probably, not 
one in twenty can be traced out, (and the number may 
still be less,) who yet remain to tell the tale of their hard- 
ships, to recount the days of their sufferings, and remem- 
ber the measure of that agonizing misery and woe, through 
which they passed whilst incarcerated within the enclo- 
sure of those dismal walls. 

With but a single exception, I have not met with any, 
who were confined therein, for more than twenty years, 
till since the commencement of this narrative, although 
I have been a constant resident of one or the other of our 
largest commercial cities during the whole period. Lately, 
however, I unexpectedly fell in with three, who have 
long been my neighbours, without the one knowing 
that either of the others had ever been prisoners during 
the last war. 

Of my messmates in prison No. 5, I have never seen 
but one, nor heard of only another, since last we parted, 
when I unfortunately failed of getting out with them, 
and missed the opportunity of crossing the Atlantic in 
company together. Probably they have all passed — ■ 
'To that country from whose bourne no traveller returns,' 

as some were verging towards, whilst others were even 
beyond the middle age of man, on whom the grasping 
hand of care had been heavily laid. 

I met with the Doctor about five weeks after my return, 



CONCLUSION. 321 

who, as second officer of a brig, was going on a voyage 
to Havre and return. He was desirous that I should go 
in the same vessel with him, and made use of strong 
arguments to overcome my determination, of not again 
trying the vicissitudes of a sea : faring life ; — saying, I had 
seen but the roughest side, in my short tour, where all 
was anarchy and confusion, or that I had been under the 
sway and tyranny of those who possessed but little sym- 
pathy of feeling to ameliorate the duty, less judgment 
to discriminate between wilful neglect and inability to 
perform, with no justice to award where meritorious ac- 
tions were performed, and whose word, by the nature of 
the service they were engaged in, was law, whose nod 
was condemnation to punishment. 'But,' said he, 'with 
officers and a crew, whose interests are blended to the mu- 
tual welfare of each other, you will find things quite dif- 
ferent, and I do not yet despair of making a sailor of you.' 

I still felt an unwillingness to yield to his wishes, till 
I had sought for employment and failed of obtaining it — 
-saying if I could see no encouragement during the day, 
the next I would repair on board with him and try my 
luck a second time. I felt no little diffidence, in apply- 
ing for employment ; for not only was my hand out, but 
I yet wanted many months of being out of my teens, 
a bad passport for boys wanting places, or men wanting 
work, in the scrutinizing eyes of the master employers 
of those ever-cautious citizens of the Bay State capital. 

To the father of one of the most gifted writers of the 
day, am I indebted for my safety ; for with him hung the 
poise, which was to preponderate for weal or for woe. Had 
he but given a crabbed answer to this, my first application 
for employment, or had he entered into a close inquiry 
as to my capacity or former employment, or an inquisi- 
torial catechism of my late doings — 'where from? from 
sea! you won't do — here's not the place for sailors to get 
work, you must look elsewhere,' it would have disheart- 
ened me from seeking farther, and I should have turned 






322 CONCLUSION. 

to the Doctor, who was at my side, and said, 'I am 
yours — do with me as you like.' But the answer of this 
kind-hearted individual was altogether the reverse; — '}'es,' 
said he, 'take hold at once, and the larger your bill on 
Saturday night, the better pleased shall I be with your 
services.' 

Among the good deeds, which are recorded to this 
man's doing's, and whose Ion? life of benevolence has 
ever been proverbial and highly esteemed, he knew not 
of this, when it took place, nor since ; but, I trust his 
reward will not be the less, for an act of unconscious 
benevolence to one of crushed spirits, who had not yet 
arisen from those storms of adversity, by which he had 
so lately been beset. 

It was the answer I received to my inquiry for employ- 
ment, that saved me from a career, which subsequent 
events proved must have been short. The brig which 
the Doctor was so solicitous for me to join, at her 
return voyage from France in the midst of winter, was 
wrecked near the shore, and all on board perished except 
three. The Doctor had twice reached the beach, each 
time landing a passenger, when, at the third trial, with 
another who was saved, the boat was capsized in the surf, 
and he, with the remainder of those in the brig, found 
his end amid the roaring billows of the deep. 

This individual is past being benefited by any pane- 
gyric of mine, but in saying he was more than a brother to 
me — had watched over me with more than parental care 
and solicitude, at times when I needed the aid of both 
parent and brother, can do his name no harm ; and I most 
deeply regret he is not here, that I could reciprocate, if 
only in words, what is due him, for his many kindly acts 
to lighten the burthen and ameliorate the distresses of one, 
whose mind and body alike were heavily laden with woe 
and debility. 

Black Tom, the singer of our mess, whose voice so 
oft blithly cheered the drooping spirits around the table, 



conclusion. 303 

whose strains were ever tuned to more soothing melody, 
than the sombre looks depicted upon his care-worn coun- 
tenance indicated, or the singular turn displayed by the 
unusual taciturn habits his confinement had forced upon 
him, manifested to a stranger unacquainted with his eccen- 
tricities, has long since paid the debt of nature, far, far from 
both his relatives and his home. He too found his end in 
the bosom of the deep — his dying couch the vortex of the 
whirling waters, his death dirge the moaning surges of 
the Indian ocean, his requiem the fierce whistlings of the 
hurricane's terrific blast, and his winding sheet the sea- 
weed of the fathomless abyss. 

Before parting with the Fifer, I took his address, in- 
tending to correspond, with a promise from him, that I 
should be duly informed of his reception at his native 
village, in the out-landish garb in which he left the 
vessel ; but, I grieve to say, my neglect soon gave place 
to carelessness, which in turn grew into indifference, till 
shame prohibited me from ever writing. This is the more 
to be regretted, as, though of little polish, there are few 
I have met with through life of better material, display- 
ing more true-hearted friendship, and openness of nature, 
than this unsophisticated son of Berkshire. • 

Since last we parted at our landing from the cartel, I 
have neither heard nor seen aught of him or his doings. 
Yet, methinks, in my musing moods, I can still see his 
erect person towering above the heads of the close and 
tattered crowd, that are pressing their way up the lengthy 
wharf, which reaches to the cross-streets of the city, 
when each takes the course that leads whithersoever 
he may find shelter, or meet with those upon whom he 
has claims either by consanguinity or friendship, whilst 
the Fifer keeps steadily on, neither turning nor looking to 
the right or left, nor stops till he gains his own native 
village. And at times fancy tells me he is seated at the 
porch of the village inn, narrating by-gone events, which 
freshen at each recital by the encouraging solicitude he 



324 CONCLUSION. 

receives from the surrounding crowd of anxious listeners, 
to continue without ceasing. Now the scene changes to 
the shade of his own porch, wherein he sits in the cool 
of the evening, amid the well-trained honey-suckle, wind- 
ing creepers and flowering plants, whose balmy fragrance 
scents the air, and whose tendrils have been nurtured by 
hands of tender care and beautifying taste ; — hear him 
striving to impress upon the minds of the younger lads 
the difference of a shore life, full of gentle ease and tran- 
quil comforts, compared to that of sea service, where is 
naught but toil, danger, hardships, and stormy commo- 
tion ; whilst those sweet budding ones of 'meek blue eye 
and flaxen hair,' tell stronger than words can speak, the 
relation they bear to her of matronly mien, whose glisten- 
ing tear-drop, care-denoting look, and deep anxiety to 
drink in every word, clearly evince the interest she feels 
in this oft-told tale, yet never-tiring subject. 

His every fear had been, that 'Little Filly,' by not 
hearing of him, would suppose him dead, and accept 
the proffered hand of another. 'For,' said he, 'she can 
have the pick and choosing of the whole country, and it's 
natural for such to take up with another, when the one is 
supposed to be forever gone,' and his suffused eyes told 
the sincerity of his words and depth of his anxiety. No 
one, but such as were immediately interested, would en- 
tertain a doubt of her constancy, after seeing the letter she 
wrote him, which he still kept with tender and reverential 
care, and the only article that he brought with him from 
his home. His cruisings must have furnished gossip for 
his native villagers to dwell upon for years afterwards, by 
the peculiar earnestness of his manner, in detailing his 
unheard-of hardships and marvellous escapes whilst in 
the hands of the 'British, who forcibly deprived him of 
his fife.' 

From Little Nap's great solicitude, and ever constant 
yearnings to see his kindred and friends at his native 
village, I felt desirous of knowing, whether any yet re- 



CONCLUSION. 325 

mained to welcome this lost wayfarer to his home ; or 
whether any were still living, upon whom he could have 
claims by consanguinity, after his involuntary wanderings 
upon life's stormy ocean, for nearly a fourth of a century ; 
but before an opportunity offered to have my curiosity 
gratified, I left that section of the Union, and have since 
sojourned elsewhere. When occasionally passing through 
the state, want of time has prevented the possibility of an 
inquiry. In all human probability, his wishes and long- 
ings are indifferent to those of whom he so often spoke, 
with a fervour and eloquence, far above the station in 
which circumstances or the fates had so cruelly placed 
him. He must, ere this, be past the annoyance of that 
agonizing suspense, of not knowing where were those pa- 
rents, those brothers, those sisters and friends, to whom he 
turned with all the heart-gushing feelings of his boyhood 
days. He possessed less coarseness, and more of that in- 
nate evidence of early good breeding, than any I have 
met with, who have ever been separated from good so- 
ciety, and for a brief spell thrown to associate among 
those of a low station. 

When reaching the residence of the relation with whom 
I had left my trunk, previous to my going to sea, I found 
the contents as I had left them ; — the 'ten dollar note,' 
had arisen, from being at a discount of twenty per cent, 
to par value. 

The next day, I took my departure for the home of my 
birth, which I reached on the following, late in the 
afternoon, of one of the most beautiful in August. The 
vehicle in which I had taken passage, at the solicitation of 
a resident in the neighbourhood, left me a mile or more to 
walk. In this I was accompanied by none, and in the 
end, was more than glad to be alone ; for I could loiter 
unmolested by scenes of by-gone days, and reflect upon 
what had transpired since last I saw them, without having 
the train of my musings disturbed. Here were land- 
marks and views in every direction, now familiar by me- 
28 v.2 



326 CONCLUSION, 

mory, and doubly dear by the length of time I had been 
estranged from them. 

In yonder small irregular mounds, now flattened by 
time to nearly the surrounding sward, and scattered in the 
pine grove, to the right of which I am passing, whose 
trees have grown to the largest size, since the ground was 
used as a place of sepulchre, instead of that consecrated 
enclosure at a greater distance, where the mourning pro- 
cession was in danger of being way -laid by the wily sav- 
age, lurking in every thicket by the road-side, can I recall 
to mind the nursery tales of Indian warfare and massacre, 
related around the blazing hearth in winter nights, by 
some querulous matron in her dotage, as occurring during 
her remembrance ; while the circle of listening urchins, 
with breathless fear, would hug the fireside corner to be 
farthest from the door, should the dreaded savage again 
make his appearance; — the narrator gaining earnestness 
and zeal as our fears increased, till bed time alone save 
end to the one, and sleep ease to the other. How oft, 
when belated at bird-nesting, fishing, or hunting, have we 
avoided this now beautiful grove, by a circuit of a mile 
around it, rather than risk the sight of some ghostly war- 
rior savage, or hear the groans of the restless dead here 
buried. 

To the right is the meadow, where was expended the 
half year's earnings, in powder and shot, by worrying 
and, sometimes by chance, bringing down a blackbird, 
which was an earnest of our improvement, and a sufficient 
encouragement to earn more, against the return of the 
season for gunning. 

Farther beyond, is the woodland, in which our snares 
were set, that bounteously repaid our week's early rising 
and frosty mornings' walk, with a rabbit or a partridge, 
whose aristocratic freedom scorned to turn aside from the 
path that led to its destruction. 

And here, too, is the stream I knew in my boyhood, 
as hush, as smooth, and as calm, as though Nature had 



CONCLUSION. 327 

made it never to be ruffled. Its very smell I should 
have known, if brought blinded and ignorant to its cross- 
ing. In its crystal waters and purling ripples, did we 
first learn to buoy ourselves upon its surface, feeling a 
lofty daring when enabled to venture beyond our depth. 
By its side, were we more than proud to be permitted to 
make our first essay at angling, with a pin hook and 
line from a spool of thread, under the protection of our 
privileged elders, whose age and height we were hoping 
some time to equal, if for nothing else than to have a 
'boughten hook and line.' And the winter ?****** | 
How vividly do those times return to the imagination, 
when so exciting was the play upon its frozen surface, 
that none felt the cold, till admonished by numbness, that 
the frost had taken actual hold of some exposed part. 

There still stands the rock, in stately indifference, on 
which some one for the time, more daring than his com- 
rades, would take his empire stand, and defy the uni- 
verse to dislodge him from his throne. Now came the 
fierce and deadly struggle, to see who shall have mas- 
tery, assert his right, and make good his claim by his 
single prowess — only to be toppled off by the rush of 
united numbers, and make room for another to follow and 
fare the same; and so on, till fatigue proved the victor 
of all. How like the thrones of the world. 

Away to the right is the hill where was proved the 
best constructed sleds, all other excellencies giving way 
to fleetness. The orchard upon the rising to the left 
can tell of many a dark deed, whilst the family were at 
their devotional services at church, or safely locked the 
sounder in the arms of sleep, by the past day's laborious 
task, which yeomanry are ever heirs to. 

Nothing escaped my eager sight, and to see was to 
devour. Hills, woods, rocks, streams, and by-paths, all 
alike were interesting, for they brought to mind associa- 
tions none can describe. And, although the past seemed 
but a fleeting dream, this was no tell-tale delusion, that 



328 CONCLUSION. 

held the cap of delicious sweets to the lip, while it car- 
ried the corroding canker to the heart. These, one and 
all, these, from the least to the greatest, told with un- 
erring truth, that I was among the scenes of my boyhood, 
and in the neighbourhood of my birth-place. 

1 gained the front door, found it fast, indicative that 
the house was tenantless, probably by the inmates being 
at a tea-drinking in the neighbourhood. The secret fas- 
tenings in the rear, were not obliterated from my me- 
mory, although I had had no occasion for their use for 
years that had gone by. By them I soon gained an en- 
trance, and stood alone in the house of my father — under 
the roof which first gave me shelter. In silence I gazed 
in reality upon objects I was but lately viewing in imagi- 
nation, now as familiar as though I had not been a day 
absent, with almost a fear to turn, lest the motion might 
dispel the reality, and I relapse into my former dreamings. 

There lies in the genial warmth of the sun's slanting 
rays, snugly rolled in the centre of the bed-spread, the 
tortoise-shell cat, or its counterpart, that once I was over- 
proud to call mine, which now lazily stretches a good 
natured salutation to my caress, and tunes her purring 
welcome to my safe return, as oft before, when naught 
vexed save crosses at play. Here stands chairs, tables, 
books, shelves, all as I used to see them before leaving 
this home, to enter upon the rough passage of life's 
troubled and changeable thoroughfare. There hangs the 
portrait of a much loved brother, whose calm and eloquent 
eyes denote a recognition ; but that silent coldness, in- 
stead of a rapturous, fraternal greeting, is emblematical 
the reality has passed to another world, during my ab- 
sence, as well as bringing to mind, that death has been 
busy with other members of the family, unknown to me 
till my return. 

There too is the cupboard, whose shelves are loaded 
with the many dainties to which I long have been a 
stranger — cream-covered milk, cheese for the autumn 



CONCLUSION. 329 

market — butter, bread, pies, such as I have viewed in 
imagination, both asleep and awake, wondering if such 
things were — thinking whether in sober reasoning I had 
ever free access to them or their like, and ceased eating 
whilst any remained, when, I would have stood ready to 
dispute for the very offal of those shelves, as it was cast 
into the tub for the feeding of swine ; — but now, that 
they were spread before me in reality, as luscious and 
inviting as when seen in my imaginative dreams, I could 
not taste — were my life depending upon the least swallow, 
it would have been out of my power to have saved it. 

I passed through every room, examined minutely every 
object and mark, as though the penalty of neglecting a 
close scrutiny, would be a return to those dreary prisons 
which have given material for these pages. And what 
scenes have I passed through since last I saw these 
objects which knew me in my childhood ? Verily, the 
chastenings have been severe, but, nevertheless, to the 
purpose. Over my lone half hour's reflections we must 
draw a veil, and leave them in silence. 



THE END. 









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